UCONN Women Huskies Win 50th In A Row...The Boston Red Sox New First Baseman-Casey Kotchman

The National Champion University Of Connecticut women's basketball team traveled to Tallahasse, Florida to play 12th ranked Florida State. FSU gave UCONN a tough time last year and last night was no different. The Huskies prevailed by pulling away in the second half, winning by a score of 78-59. They were led by their center, Tina Charles, who is sure to be the top pick in the WNBA draft. UCONN led 41-35 at halftime but took over from there, wearing their opponent down as only THEY can do. They have now won 50 (!!) games in a row, all by double digits. Not bad, Huskies, not bad at all. Simply the best.

In Boston Red Sox news, it looks more and more like our new first baseman will be none other than Casey Kotchman. If the name doesn't sound familiar, it will soon. He is a superb defensive first baseman. In fact, his .998 fielding percentage is the best for any player with more than 3,500 at bats. .998? That's unbelievable, unfathomable, unreal! Youk will move to third and be very happy there. Want to know more about Kotchman? Here's is Todd Claus, director of Latin American scouting for the Boston Red Sox...

“It’s going to be exciting to see what he does,” Claus said yesterday. “He probably hasn’t seen his prime yet. I think any manager would love to have a guy like that on his team. He can hit off the bench. He can certainly play a substantial amount of time. He can handle pressure. This guy has a flat, compact swing,” Claus said. “It’s not really a lofted swing. He’s a doubles guy. I think he’s going to develop more power. I’d venture to say there are other people in the organization that share those thoughts. He’s probably in the top two of best defensive first basemen I’ve ever been around, and it’s hard for me to decide who’s No. 1,” Claus said. “Kevin Youkilis fits into that category for winning a Gold Glove, but Casey is without question a Gold Glove-type defender.”

I was not aware of any of this. Casey was having a great season last year until he was hit in the head with a fastball. He wasn't the same after that but he's fine right now. Having him at first will negate the need to trade the farm for a power bat. The infield, with Youk and Pedroia PLUS Scutaro and Kotchman, should be one of the best in all of major league baseball. Add that fact to the outfield's addition of "I can catch anything" Mike Cameron and you have a very sound defensive ballclub, one of the best. Boston's starting rotation and bullpen complete the picture. Nice job, Theo.

Three more days left in this year 2009. Make the most of them. You can click on this post's title to be zapped to the Boston Globe's Red Sox home page for a great article on Mikey Lowell. As always, BE WELL. I'll see you soon...count on it. As long as I'm breathing, I ain't leaving. Bye.