Three things many of us thought that we would never see all just occurred in a 24 hour stretch of time that I will never forget:

1) The Red Sox won their second title in 4 seasons.
2) The UConn Football team is ranked 16'th in the country.
3) A groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new building for NBC 30.

Are you kidding me!

Where do I begin. As someone who grew up in New England and watched Red Sox Nation suffer through 86 years of frustration, I was never convinced that I would see one Boston championship, never mind two in just 4 seasons.

I did think that someday we would see UConn football in the top 25. But this year? No way! I thought this was a 5-7, 6-6 team at best. They have a new quarterback and a very young team.

That's in stark contrast to the building at NBC 30 which is very, very old. Like a good football coach, I have always "focused" on what we do have....great people and the basic tools to do my job: a computer, camera's, editors etc. I have always tried to ignore our, how shall we say, very modest building. Our new digital tv mecca will make us so much better as a station. I can't wait.

There is another common theme today with these three things that I never thought I would see in 2007. It's called vision and persistence.

You have to hand it to Theo Epstein, Terry Francona and the entire Red Sox front office. Not only have they built a winner in '04 and '07, but they've developed an organization and created a culture of winning that I do not see slowing down. In fact, the '07 Sox are in better shape to repeat now than in 2004. It all comes back to the mantra of Red Sox Nation in '04: believe!

UConn Coach Randy Edsall never stopped believing that he could build something great at UConn. First the school and the state built a stadium. Then came the on campus state of the art facilities and now a top 25 team to go with it. Coach Edsall is one of the most focused, hard working and committed people that I have ever met. His enthusiasm and belief that this kind of success was attainable has rubbed off on his team. Can they win the Big East? Can they play in a major bowl game? Will we see. But the mere fact that it is even a conversation now is nothing short of remarkable. The Huskies are the only unbeaten team left in the Big East at 3-0. Wow!

NBC 30's version of Randy Edsall is our G.M Dave Doebler. Many times in my 12 years here at the station the topic of a new facility has come up. But no one ever pushed harder for it than Mr. Doebler. His vision, his leadership and most of all his persistence parellels what has happened with the Sox and UConn. World Championships are not just won in October. Top 25 rankings don't just happen with one win. And brand new tv stations with state of the art technology do not just happen with one phone call. It takes hundreds, if not thousands of hours of work. I am thrilled that Mr. Doebler put in the time. We (you as a viewer and me as a broadcaster) will benefit.

So there is lesson in all of this? Anything is possible if you ignore the naysayers, stick to your goals and work hard. Congratulations to the Sox, UConn and NBC 30! All we could ask for now is this: A Mets title, a big bowl game for UConn and a window in the sports office!

I woman called our sports department today wanting my prediction for the World Series. That's like asking a three year old what time it is. They may be right once a year. But you would never bother asking. Well she did. She claims I said the Red Sox would win the ALCS in 7. I don't remember. Generally, I forget my predictions as soon as I make them, hoping that you will forget them as well. As I've said many times, if I was paid to make sports forecasts like a meteorologist predicts weather, I would have been out of a job years ago.

So if you are a Red Sox fan, you may not like what I am about to write. I like the Sox. I think they win this series in 5 games, certainly no more than 6. Sorry. Kiss of death. I know. But I think this time I may actually be right back to back times. After all, if the Sox can win 2 World Series in four years, than anything is possible, right?

To me, it is pretty simple: Yes, the Rockies have won 21 of 22. Yes, they had the highest fielding percentage of any team in baseball history. And yes, they have some young players who we'll be hearing about for the next 15 years. But the Red Sox are simply better. The Sox have superior pitching, better clutch hitters, the home field advantage at Fenway and the Rockies may be a bit rusty after 8 days off. Red Sox win in 5. Can you say dynasty?

Larry Taylor got away with one Friday night. As a former punt returner who called a fair catch 90 percent of the time and who totalled about 10 yards in four years on returns, I know a fair catch signal when I see one. But I also know a good team.

The Big East officials didn't lose the game. Louisville did. For a program coming off a Big East Title, an Orange Bowl win, and a #5 ranking with a future first round pick at quarterback in Brian Brohm, there is no way you should ever lose a 10 point lead in the fourth quarter. But they did. Here's why...

UConn played with more emotion. UConn played with more desire. UConn wanted it more. And yes, UConn has a better defense.

Any questions about the Huskies "d" were answered Friday night at the "Rent." They held Louisville's high powered offense to just 10 points. The Cardinals came in averaging 41 points per game. UConn now has the team speed to compete with just about any team in the country. They are physical in the trenches. And boy, do they hit.

Vince Lombardi knew a little about the game. And to the Packers legendary coach, each game came down to two basic fundamentals: blocking and tackling. The Huskies are good in both area's, but especially tackling. They almost always bring the ball carrier down on first contact. That tells me one thing: They really, really want it. Tackling can be taught, sort of. It takes timing. But most of all, it takes desire. The UConn defense has it.

And this "team" may have "it;" That special quality in a person or team, that elevates the individual or group beyond their perceived talent level. There is an amazing quiet confidence about the Huskies. Where did begin? How does a team get it?

I think it all starts with hard work. In football, as in life, when someone or a group of people outwork others, they start to feel entitled to their future success. This is entitlement at its best---when it is earned.

The Huskies are in first place in the Big East at 2-0 all to themselves. I can't wait for Saturday's game with South Florida. UConn will be well prepared. They will play hard. And they may just win again. And if they do, it will be the biggest in school history....until they play Rutgers the next week.

Strap on your seat belts UConn fans. This team is taking us for a ride. I am not sure where it will end up, but that is part of what makes it so much fun!

Can you say Orange Bowl....UConn-Boston College. Okay, let me exhale. See you Saturday at the Rent!

Records are meant to be broken. Just don't count on it happening any time soon at Cheshire High where the girl's swimming and diving team set a national record for consecutive dual meet wins with 235. That's right. The last time Cheshire lost was October 1986.

I remember it well. Not the start of the Cheshire streak---but October '86. I was a Dickinson College freshman who wagered a few cases of adult beverages (very, very cheap stuff) on the Mets. Needless to say, no one paid up when the Mets won. I was that obnoxious.

There was far more humility in Cheshire last night. I am so happy for Coach Ed Aston, whose swimmers call him Ed. If my two girls ever play high school sports, I can only hope that they have a coach half as good as Ed. He's genuine, hard working and cares about these girls as people and it shows. Congratulations to everyone involved.

But perfect records are so tough to keep. Ten top 10 college football teams have lost to unranked teams already this season. UConn was not one of those ranked teams to fall. Just an unranked team that finally lost.

Had the Huskies beaten Virginia Saturday UConn may have gotten into the top 25 for the first time in school history. But unlike many of you, I saw a ton of positives in the 17-16 loss.

UConn is close--close to pulling an upset--perhaps a major upset. Louisville, #2 South Florida and Rutgers all visit Rentschler Field over the next three weeks. I think UConn can beat any one of these teams. They have the team speed, enough experience and depth. And a little, heck a lot of rain, Friday night against Louisville and their All-American q.b. Brian Brohm wouldn't hurt either.

And speaking of perfect, how bout those Rockies! Are you kidding me? They've won 21 out of 22. That is almost impossible to do. It should be a great World Series. But it may not feature the Red Sox. If it does, I won't bet against them as I did in '86. It looks like Kevin Youkilis has gotten his Bill Buckner post-season moments out of his system tonight.

The Sox have back to back to back homers tonight. But Red Sox Nation is concerned that their beloved Sox may suffer back to back to back to back losses.

Well, I haven't made a post for a while, so I figured I would touch upon a few subjects.

Perfection seems to be the theme in local sports this week. Yale and UConn look to continue their perfect seasons Saturday. The Red Sox have yet to lose in the playoffs. And then there is the Cheshire High girls swim team: They haven't lost a regular season meet since 1986!

Let's start with UConn. Keeping that perfect record at Virginia will not be easy. The Cavaliers have won 5 in a row. But once again, I am picking the Huskies. There is a special quality about this group starting with their humble leader Tyler Lorenzen at Q.B. UConn 23-Virginia 20.

Yale will not only beat Lehigh Saturday at the Bowl, the Eli's may not lose this entire season. How hard is it to go 10-0? Not even hall of famer Carm Cozza had a Yale team that ran the table. But with New Britain's Mike Mcleod at running back, a veteran leader in Q.B Matt Polhemus and a nasty, tenacious and deep defense, I think this Yale team can do it. But in an Ivy League where parity reigns supreme, it will be very, very hard.

The Red Sox will probably make the World Series. And if they do make the Fall Classic, they will not lose to Arizona or Colorado. Please. But to think they could go undefeated throughout the entire playoffs is asking way too much. The Indians are good. Just ask the Yankees. Sabathia and Carmona should be good for at least two wins. So I will say Sox in 6 or possibly 7 games.

Lastly, Cheshire swimming. The Rams are the biggest lock of all of the aforementioned teams to keeping on winning. After all, coach Ed Aston and Cheshire have not lost a dual swim meet since Ronald Reagan was in office! That trend should continue. Cheshire can tie the national record for consecutive wins tomorrow night at home. And then they can break it on Monday. Cheshire has won 233 straight swim meets. Cheshire swimming is more automatic than taxes.

I actually know a little about going unbeaten. I played on an undefeated college football team in 1989. It is so hard to do. My Junior year at Dickinson we were one play away from a 10-0 season and lost the game on the very last play. My Senior year we were a 20 yard field goal away from a perfect season and the ball hit the upright. We settled for 9-0-1. Yale, UConn and the Sox would sign up for that right now. The Cheshire team probably would not.

Enjoy. We will cover all of these stories with extensive coverage over the coming days and weeks.

Will the Yankees part ways with Joe Torre? It's today's 7 million dollar question. For my money (and no, I do not have 7 mill sitting around for anything... much less a manager's salary), he's worth it.

I know the Yankees have lost in the divisional playoffs three straight years. I know the Yankees have not won a World Series since 2000. And I know, the Boss is restless. But let's look at what Torrre has done in his tenure as Yankees skipper and what has changed about his ball club.

In 12 seasons as Yankees manager, Torre's teams have gone to 12 straight playoffs. And he's not Bobby Cox and the Braves. Torre led the Yankees to four World Titles in that time and 6 trips to the Fall Classic.

All the while, he has soothed over countless behind the scenes ego driven problems. How do I know? It's the Yankees. Between the Boss, the payroll, the media, the fans and all of the frenzy, it is simply amazing there have not been more controversies in his 12 years.

The credit belongs to Torre for that. It is not unlike counter terrorism efforts. They go unnoticed, but they happen everyday. Would Tony La Russa handle the media in New York, the ego's and the Boss that well. Please. He can't handle a couple of soft ball questions from the St. Louis media.

If you want to change the Yankees, change it this way. Not with the Manager. Not even with the lineup. David Cone, El Duque, David Wells, Andy Pettitte---none of these guys would have imploded in the playoffs twice in one series like Wang did. If you want to bring back the Yankees of the late 90's, continue to develop and acquire top level starting pitching. And leave Joba Chamberlin right where he is. Joba should eventually replace Mariano Rivera as the Yanks closer--a position as hard to fill as a dominant ace.

Lastly, I will say this. Joe Torre probably got too much credit when the Yankees won. And now, he's probably taking too much of the blame. Torre's legacy will be much like Jim Calhoun's someday: not fully appreciated until they're gone. The Yankees are gone from the playoffs. The manager should stay.

I have called upon my son Ryan for some help. Here is what we've come up with for the baseball playoffs.

Rockies beat the Phils. Cubs over Arizona. Cubs over the Rockies.

Yankees beat Cleveland. Red Sox over the Angels. (Ryan actually thinks the Angels win...but I can't do that to Red Sox Nation). But I can do this: Yanks over the Sox.

Drum roll please....the Yankees beat the Cubs in the highest rated World Series of all-time.

Do I have complete conviction in these predictions. Absolutely not. Nostra-nathan I am not. But I do like the Yankees pitching, right now at least, more than the Sox.

I would be concerned about Dice-K, maybe Schilling as well, and certainly the bullpen leading into Papelbon.

A-Rod is another huge factor. He's due. He is simply too good to choke again in the playoffs. This has been "his year" and I expect him to finish it off with a bang.

Of course, I also expected my Mets to be in the playoffs. And they collapsed faster than a straw hut in a hurricane.

I am 5 for 5 on UConn football predictions this fall. And I expect to go at least 3-4 on these first round series. We shall revisit my forecast next week .

Have a great, baseball, football filled weekend.

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. For UConn Football , it is the age of victory. For the Mets, it is the age of despair. I am feeling the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat on both fronts today. Call it a tale of two teams.

The "we're taking it one game it a time" approach drives me crazy as a broadcaster. It results in in a string of useless, cliche filled sound bites. As Gerry Brooks often tells me, it is why he got out of sports (decades ago). But the truth is, that "one game at a time" mantra of the Huskies has worked. If only the Mets could have taken a page out of Randy Edsall's playbook. The Mets played with the focus of my three year old. Sorry Katie.

The Mets tried to take it "one month a time, " treating the last two weeks of September like a company softball outing. Check that. People play harder at the company picnic than the Mets did.

The "not so Amazins" led the Phillies by 7 games on September 12th and still lost the division. It is the worst collapse in baseball history. It is so bad I am not even sure that Red Sox fans can relate. On second thought, they can. See 1946, 1967, 1975, 1978, 1986....Yes, I am a bitter Mets fan today. How can I not be. I will be surrounded by Red Sox Nation and pinstripe wearing 26-time World Series champion bragging Yankee fans. That's where the UConn Football team comes in for me.

The Huskies are my positive sports story for the day. They are 5-0 for the first time since 1995 and 5-0 for the first time ever in division 1-A. As UConn creeps up towards the top 25 for the first time school history, they are getting more respect in the way of votes in the National polls right now than traditional powers like Penn State, Alabama and Michigan. Are you kidding me.
I really like this team on and off the field, and I am anxious to see what they do at Virginia in two weeks.

Will I be over the Mets by then? Probably not. Like I said, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. UConn Q.B. Tyler Lorenzen could have gotten more outs than Tom Glavine did yesterday. So keeping taking it "one game at a time" Huskies. You will end up playing in a bowl game. The Mets are done. Go Cubs!