It has been over six weeks since I wrote my last column, in which I lamented the state of the Red Sox, out of playoff contention for 3 straight seasons and watching their hated rival, the NY Yankees, cruising to yet another World Series Title.  Fortunately for the Red Sox Nation, the Yankees were beaten by the LA Dodgers. The Red Sox with their frugal ways, are nowhere near competing again unless management loosens their purse strings. There are some positive signs with the impending rumors about Yankees star, Juan Soto considering joining the Red Sox, but to my fellow Sox fans, this feels more like throwing some dope at the rabid fan base, rather than a real commitment to winning.

Over on the gridiron, the Patriots finally installed Drake Maye, their rookie quarterback and the results have been mixed. He has shown some flashes of brilliance and can run in a pinch, a critical requirement in the new NFL. Derek lacks real talent around him and with a rookie coach, it will be a couple more years of rebuilding and several things need to fall in the right place before the Patriots return to their winning ways. On the rink, the Bruins have lost their ability to win, a mere two years since posting the best regular season record. My prediction, one of these two teams, Pats or Bruins would progress toward championship contention and the other would stagnate. My money is on the Pats and they provide me with some much needed hope.  

This brings me to the fabulous parquet where the Celtics began their NBA title defense in fine fashion. With an 84% winning percentage and second-best record in the NBA, the Celtics provide the Boston fans with something to look forward to over the long New England Winter.  

On the international scene, test cricket has gone all bonkers and it will take several columns to capture all the madness we have witnessed over the last few months. A team scores 556 runs in the first innings, watches their opponent score 823 runs in response and loses by an innings and 47 runs (Pakistan vs England, 1^st Test, 2024 series).  A seemingly invincible team at home (India) having won 10 straight Test series over the last 10 years gets whitewashed 0-3 by an unheralded opponent (New Zealand) which was itself beaten soundly just a month before in Sri Lanka. Then India goes over and destroys Australia in Perth, winning by 295 runs after scoring a paltry 150 runs in their first innings whereas NZ goes home and loses tamely to England, Go figure. Well, it’s going to take a few months and several more tests to figure this one out for sure.

For my fellow Indian Cricket fans, I am happy that the Indian cricket selectors over the last few years have shown a commitment to rotating out aging veterans before their playing days are over and bringing future stars forward; an approach we have seen pay handsome dividends for the Patriots in the Brady-Belichick era. I conclude by praying, for the budding new stars in the Indian Test cricket team, let’s hope for the best and if the youngsters go on to achieve stellar careers, I will be eternally grateful on this Thanksgiving Day, 2024.         

|