Bucked Up - Boston 101, Milwaukee 89

Right, so last night was pretty much the same old story we're used to with the Celtics. They started slow against a young, weaker, exuberant-as-hell team, finally gained their bearings, and ended up winning in a blowout. We get it. Seen it before. The Celts improve to 5-1 on the season and will now move on to face the Iverson-led Pistons. Great.

Can we talk about something more thought-provoking for a moment? ... Who the hell designed the Bucks' logo and uniforms? They look like a damn Christmas tree. Being a bit of a sports logo nut, I can understand the reasoning behind the green and red color palette. That's what they wore in the seventies, so it's kind of a throwback and/or homage. How touching.

On your right is a picture of Lew Alcindor (better known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) playing for the Bucks in the mid-1970s (click to enlarge for a better look). Not the best jerseys in the world, but hey, who looked good back then? That was a decade filled with shag carpeting, all-in-one end-table-lamp combinations and everything adorned in some sort of plaid pattern. There's a reason why it went out of style, though. It looked awful. Styles evolve for a reason, and sometimes, it's better not to pay tribute to what sucked in the first place, and these Milwaukee uniforms are a prime example.

Here is the latest incarnation of the Milwaukee crew (again, click to enlarge). I'm sorry, but...good lord. You can't expect to be taken seriously when wearing these things. You want your team to be hoisting the Larry O'Brien trophy in June with people humming "Deck the Halls"? I wouldn't. And by the way, the same level of uniform ugliness goes for the Grizzlies, Clippers, Warriors and most of all, Thunder. You all need to head back to the drawing board and come up with a look that people can get behind. Plus, you're not selling merchandise if it's all branded with that level of embarrassment.

But back to my original topic... the Celtics are still sitting atop their division, and now begin a five-games-in-seven-days stretch tomorrow night in Detroit. Should be fun.

Final Score: Boston Celtics 101, Red-Nosed Reindeer 89.
Player of the Game: Paul Pierce, BOS (18 Pts, 10 Reb, 7 Ast)

-- Dan Zappulla, With Two Eyes Made Out of Coal.

Lugo for Willis and Other Notes

Scott Miller from CBS is reporting that the Red Sox are feeling out a deal with the Tigers that would send lefty Dontrelle Willis to the Red Sox in exchange for Julio Lugo. Bad deal in my opinion. Having never been high on the lefty with the wacky delivery, at $11M, he would be paid more than Josh Beckett and Dice-K through next year. The Red Sox seem to be going with Beckett-Matsuzaka-Lester-Wakefield-Buchholz/Masterson/Free Agent. I think Buchholz should slide back into that rotation spot if you want to keep Masterson as a reliever. Of course, I like Masterson as a starter, but you can always change his role if need be.

With many teams needing a shortstop this off-season, and only two years left on Lugo's deal, it's not a stretch to think he could get traded this off-season for pitching help. As I've said before, their minor league system is lacking a guy who can hit for power, so a power hitting prospect and perhaps a young middle reliever would be a good return for Lugo. The White Sox, Tigers, and Cardinals might be in the bidding if Theo decides to pull this trigger this off-season.

Nick Cafardo of Boston.com is also reporting that the Red Sox are interested in striking a deal for Tampa Bay OF and Rhode Island native Rocco Baldelli. Cafardo reports that the Sox are trying to put in their due diligence regarding Baldelli's mitochondrial disease, which causes premature muscle fatigue. Baldelli would most likely be a replacement for Coco Crisp, should he be dealt.

Fenway Park Notes

The Red Sox have made a pitch to Major League baseball to host the 2012 All-Star game in order to celebrate the stadium's 100th birthday. Currently, Fenway is both the smallest and oldest park in the Majors, and one of the few stadiums in any sport that has that old-school charm and intensity night in and night out. Fenway hosted the All-Star game back in 1999, and usually the game only comes around every 30 or so years.

Also, the Red Sox are adding another 560 seats in our little Boston ballpark. This is the 8th straight year Fenway has been engrossed in offseason construction - every year since Henry, Warner, and Lucchino took over the team. At least some of the seats will be in the upper deck beyond first base. Other improvements are also planned, including waterproofing the lower deck and fixing the roof down the third baseline.

CONGRATULATIONS DIRTDOG McMUNCHKIN!

Congratulations to Dustin Pedroia for winning his first Gold Glove for his exemplary work at second base this season. This award improves his chances to with the MVP too, so keep your eyes peeled. The complete list of MLB Gold Glove Winners is below.

American League
P - Mike Mussina
C - Joe Mauer
1B- Carlos Pena
2B- Dustin Pedroia
3B- Adrian Beltre
SS- Michael Young
OF-Ichiro Suzuki
OF-Torii Hunter
OF-Grady Sizemore

National League
P - Greg Maddux
C - Yadier Molina
1B- Adrian Gonzalez
2B- Brandon Phillips
3B- David Wright
SS- Jimmy Rollins
OF- Nate McClouth
OF- Carlos Beltran
OF- Shane Victorino