I'm an optimist, or at least I hope I am.

1) "It's not disappointing at all. I think I won a game on one side," Martinez said. "I think the reception I got really overmatched whatever I did out there today, which wasn't much. I'm extremely happy I was able to come back. I didn't have my 'A' game today and they took advantage of it. I couldn't make pitches and basically you just tip your hat and let it go and get ready for the next time.

"Not even a win would give me the satisfaction I got from the reception from the fans. I will always appreciate them and keep them in my heart, and I will never forget this, regardless of the results of the game. I will always remember that as one of the best moments in my life." -Pedro Martinez

2) As nice a story as the whole Mets-Sox, Pedro's return was, I think we saw last night why Pedro left. He is still an elite pitcher, and he will still end the year with great numbers for the Mets, but his reign of dominance was dribbling away in the hitter-heavy AL East. I'm not saying that Pedro isn't still a baseball deity, and I'm definitely not saying that our team couldn't use him right now (or last year, or next year), but perhaps it is for the best that he gets to preserve his win percentage, ERA, and other career rate-stats in the Senior Circuit.

3) And I'm not saying Pedro can't be dominant anymore. There are two great offenses and Albert Pujols in the NL, and Pedro pitches with one of them behind him, and Bronson Arroyo pitching for the other. He can dominate the league without having to crank it up until the playoffs (in the same way he cranked it up in 2003 and 2004 postseason). Come the postseason, I doubt Pedro will give up 8 runs in any of the 3 potential postseason series, much less any post-season start.

4) I bet Lastings Milledge can't wait to get the hell out of Fenway.

5) 11 in a row, ho! Let's get the dozen tonight and then look to make it a baker's on friday.

6) Speaking of tonight, I think this game might be the best pitching matchup of 1998.

7) Also, did anyone else notice that the first 8 innings of the game were pitched by former Sox? Pedro, 3 innings. Darren Oliver, 3 innings. Chad Bradford, 1 inning. Kinda' weird.

8) Final thought on Pedro: look at this season. He gave up 8 runs last night. In 2000, he didn't give up 8 runs in a game all year (high was 6 against the Royals). In fact, he never gave up 8 runs in two consecutive starts. Hell, he didn't give up 8 runs in the entire month of April. Or May. Or July. Or September. Only two starts all year where he gave up more than 3 runs. Worked upto the 7th in 27 of his 29 starts, one of which was the last start of the year where he only gave up 1 hit through 5 and got the win. Greatest season by a right-hander since, well, his 1999 season. We love you Pedro. You were a god to us.