I apologize for going so long between articles, but I recently took a new job and my time has been very limited. I have been keeping a close eye on the Sox lately and I do like what I see. This column will just be a list of observations and some interesting stats.

The Sox are now 41-27 with a 2.5 game lead. Last year, the Sox were 37-31 and lead the AL East by .5 games after 68 games, but they were in the midst of a 3-11 streak that would drop their record to 38-39 as of July 2.

As of June 18, Daubach has posted some impressive stats while sporting his goofy beard, but some teammates are unimpressed by his appearance. "Daubach was hitting just .234, but in his 19 games with the beard, Daubach is 23-for-70, a .329 clip that has raised his batting average 36 points to .270. He has 13 RBI with three home runs, three doubles and a triple in that span, and a team of Red Sox public relations staff members is still researching if this is the best 19-game stretch of any Amish Red Sox in franchise history."

``It's ugly as hell, I think,'' said Daubach's good friend, Trot Nixon. "I don't know what his girlfriend thinks. He looks like an Amish guy to me.''

``I don't know what it is, I can't say what it is. I call it (expletive),but you can't write that,'' said Lowe. ``You know what I think, I don't think appearance is too high on his list.'' - Derek Lowe

I felt that Jimy would find a way to use Bichette, O'Leary, and Nixon effectively. After a rough April (when Manny and Hillenbrand really picked up the slack), check out their numbers for May and June:

O'Leary- 25 G, 27-91, .297 BA, 5 HR, 14 RBI, .333 OBP, .571 SLUG, .904 OPS

Bichette- 30 G, 36-103, .350 BA, 3 HR, 16 RBI, .380 OBP, .543 SLUG, .923 OPS

Nixon- 36 G, 33-120, .275 BA, 7 HR, 17 RBI, .356 OBP, .525 SLUG, .881 OPS

I'd say that Jimy is doing a pretty good job with this and the calls for an upgrade in the OF are unfounded.

How about a comparison of the Sox 3 signees that they settled for (when Mussina signed with NY) vs. the Moose?

Wakefield- 5-1, 73.2 IP, 2.08 ERA, $3.0 Million
Nomo- 6-4, 84.1 IP, 3.84 ERA, $4.5 Million
Castillo- 7-4, 75.2 IP, 3.45 ERA, $2.25 Million

Combined, 18-9, 233.2 IP, 3.16 ERA, $9.75 Million

Mussina, 6-7, 96.2 IP, 3.54 ERA, $10.0 Million

Due to Mussina signing with NY, the Sox had to "settle" for Manny Ramirez.

Mike Lansing has now had his name officially returned to "Mike Lan$ing" instead of Mike Lan "Stink". While he does make way too much money, he has filled in nicely at short and Duquette's move to hold onto him has been wise, much to the chagrin of many Sox fans, myself included.

Rolando Arrojo has been a pleasant surprise in the bullpen.

Aside from a shaky game last night, Lowe has been excellent for quite some time, since his rough start to the year.

April- 9G, 1-4, 3-5 Saves, 13.1 IP, 20 H, 6 BB, 6.75 ERA
May/June- 20 G, 2-1, 8-8 Saves, 28 IP, 25 H, 8 BB, 1.93 ERA

Shea Hillenbrand had a nice April, but he has been awful at the plate since then and a Valentin/Stynes combo at 3B, with Shea going to Pawtucket seems likely.

April- 25 G, 34-99, .343 BA, 2 HR, 11 RBI, .356 OBP, .525 SLUG, .881 OPS
May/June- 41 G, 31-147, .211 BA, 3 HR, 13 RBI, .232 OBP, .306 SLUG, for a horrible .538 OPS.

How anyone can even suggest firing Jimy Williams baffles my mind.

Anyone doubt Wakefield's value to this team?

Why the heck would we want David Wells now, when we mad zippo attempt to sign him as a FA back in 95? I'll keep Ohka and Crawford, Thank you.

Why is Craig Grebeck still on the 40 man roster?

Gerry Calllahan has got to be the world's dumbest person. He is certainly more uniformed than anyone else.

Will Sabes ever pitch again?

How much does Rich Garces actually weigh? Does David Wells weigh more?

Is any opposing player more annoying than Paul O'Neill?

Does Mike Hampton really have 5 homeruns?

Does Barry Bonds really have 37 homeruns?

How the heck does Brett Boone have so many RBI's?

Ozzie Guillen was caught using a corked bat on minor league rehab. Was he using Grebeck's bat?

If Stanton and Rivera pitch every game, will their arms fall off?

Is Mark Mcgwire Human? or is he actually Popeye?

Get well soon Nomar and Jason.

SRYD out