St. Elsewhere, Youkilis and Noel

Yesterday was eye exam day in town for me. After that, right around noon, I went to see someone for whom I have done a website. Since my pupils were dilated, I went as far as I could through the hospital tunnels to avoid being out in the bright sunshine. My path took me past the waiting room for Ambulatory Surgery. I swear I saw Kevin Youkilis sitting there, reading a magazine. If it wasn't him, it was his doppleganger. I got a really good look at him too, and I'm telling you, I honestly think it was him. I don't know why he would have been there, unless he was taking someone in for a one-day procedure. I've been in that waiting room a few times myself. Anyway, that was the big excitement for me yesterday. Manny and Papi were on the late night talk shows (Leno and O'Brien respectively) and did themselves proud. Manny asked Leno if he was related to Youkilis, noting the similarity of their chins. I guess it was Youk's media day.

We're keeping Wakefield! Tim Wakefield's $4 million option was exercised Friday by the Red Sox after the knuckleballer missed the World Series because of inflammation behind his right shoulder. The Sox also exercised a $3.85 million option on right-hander Julian Tavarez. Catcher Kevin Cash is going after declining an outright assignment to Triple-A Pawtucket (he elected to become a free agent instead).

The remnants of Hurricane Noel are with us right now, in the form of a mild nor'easter. There will be some flooding and wind damage, but so far, it hasn't been as bad as we were told it would be. I think the worst of the wind has passed, but I could be wrong. We've gotten a fair bit of rain, but not nearly what was expected. By tomorrow's Patriots game, we'll be back in sunshine.