By JIM DONALDSON, The Providence Journal

Forgive me if I'm not all that delighted by the prospect of the Boston Red Sox finishing second in the A.L. East. Nor am I all that disappointed in New England Patriots fans who poured out of Gillette Stadium in the second half Sunday like school kids who were told they didn't have to return to classes after lunch period. Let's start with the Pats:

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Jets should be ashamed of themselves. The Patriots, on the other hand, should be very proud. Pride is what carried New England past New York, 19-10, Sunday at the Meadowlands. "I'm really proud," coach Bill Belichick said, "of the way the guys stepped up and played. A lot of people didn't expect us to do much today."

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Being ready to play is not the same as expecting to play. Matt Cassel is always prepared to go into a game. But the New England Patriots backup quarterback seldom gets the chance. Until Sunday.

FOXBORO, Mass. -- Here's the latest example of why Bill Belichick may be the least-quotable Wesleyan graduate in history. Question (asked at Wednesday morning's news conference): For a team to win back-to-back conference titles, what would you say are the top three or four things they need to accomplish? Answer: Play better than the other team, whoever that is.

When I think of Carl Yastrzemski, two things come to mind. One is the season for the ages he had in 1967. The other is how, in 1979, the year I began working here at The Journal, he would sit in front of his locker in the clubhouse at Fenway Park and conduct post-game interviews with a can of beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

The health of quarterback Tom Brady's injured foot could determine the success of the Patriots' season. Just ask Gisele Bundchen. Or New England football fans.

Pitchers are klutzes. At least American League pitchers are. On Sunday, New York Yankees ace Chien-Ming Wang partially tore a tendon and sprained his right foot while running the bases against the Astros in Houston. He will have to wear a protective boot for at least six weeks, which is a serious kick in the pants to the Yanks' playoff hopes.

I can't wait to hear what Senator Arlen Specter, the righteous Republican from Pennsylvania, has to say today. I know, I know, most everyone -- everyone in New England, at least -- wants the overblown scandal known as "Spygate'' to be over, but it won't be over until the fatuous senator sings.

BOSTON -- We knew the emperor had no clothes. But who knew "The King'' had no game? Or, at the very least, no jump shot. And, if LeBron "King" James doesn't get it in gear and start shooting the ball a whole lot better, the season will soon be over for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Most years, any NFL team would be thrilled to have the first pick in the draft. Not this year. "I think this is a draft where there doesn't appear to be a clear-cut, No. 1 player," New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "To me, it's a little bit like the '91 draft, when I was in Cleveland."