Just had to send out congratulations to my favorite Muppetfaced Venezuelan (that would be Bobby Abreu) on being signed for two more years by the Angels.  There's a part of me that would have loved to see him in Boston if Jason Bay were not to return, but I also know that many Red Sox fans wouldn't be happy with that simply because he spent 2-1/2 years in pinstripes, so maybe it's for the best.

Based on all I've ever heard about Bobby, he's apparently a real student of the game, an excellent teacher, and oh yes, he's quite intelligent to boot.  A couple more years of being a role model for his teammates in Anaheim and he'll be 37 (turning 38 during Spring Training the following season), at which time I can absolutely see him moving into a coaching role.

Some Bobby trivia: Very early on, he played single-A ball right here in Asheville, I believe in 1992.  I went to plenty of Asheville Tourists games back then, and I'm pretty sure I remember him, mainly because I found his last name unusual.  I read a story some years ago about his season in Asheville.  It mentioned that the McCormick Field announcer thought his last name was "uh-BROO" and enjoyed saying it when he came up to bat, because it was fun to hear the "OO" echo against the ridges that surround the ballpark.  The story went on to say that at that point Bobby spoke virtually no English, so the season was nearly over before he was able to tell the announcer how his name was actually pronounced.   :D