As the first pick in the 2004 NFL draft, Eli Manning walked to the stage at Madison Square Garden amidst a chorus of boos with a grimace on his face. As the fourth pick, Philip Rivers heard the same boos while sitting in his living room with a glowing smile on his face, happy to be drafted higher than he expected. One player was headed to San Diego, one of the most beautiful places in the country (or so I've heard), the other to gloomy, cold, dirty, smelly Yankees country. Surprisingly, Manning, the unhappy one, was originally headed to San Diego and Rivers to New York. You'd think Manning would have been delighted to be drafted number one by the Chargers; they have the best running back in the AFC in LaDainian Tomlinson, the best weather in the league and had an opening behind center with Manning's name embroidered on a uniform.

But Manning was not impressed. Instead of being thrilled with the prospects of playing in great weather with a great running back and an offensively-minded coach, Manning was clearly disappointed and internally furious. His anger only subsided hours after being drafted, when it was announced he would not be heading to California but had been traded to NY. Manning's selfish, greedy behavior was both unnecessary and pathetic. Who does this guy think he is? If anything, he'll be lucky if he's half as successful as his older brother Peyton. How miserable of a person must he be to have a frown on his face after being selected as the top pick in the NFL draft, guaranteeing himself $50 million or so? If being in New York was worth making a total fool of himself and appearing selfish, greedy and inconsiderate, then Manning has some serious priority issues.

In general, professional athletes are not as greedy and self-centered as we, the public, make them out to be. Sure, many athletes and their agents quibble in contract negotiations, but still I contend, that's the exception, not the norm.

There are good men in professional sports, and unfortunately this past week, one of them passed away. Pat Tillman, a former defensive back with the Arizona Cardinals, turned down a $3.6 million contract two years ago so that he could join the Army as a Ranger and fight in Iraq for $18,000 a year. But the money meant nothing to Tillman. He said that 9/11 changed his life, and his priorities had changed. It wasn't important to Tillman to play football or make money; it was important to Tillman to make a difference off the field by fighting for his country.

Tillman isn't a hero because he's a former professional athlete. He isn't a hero because in 2000 he broke the Cardinals' all-time single season record for most tackles. What makes Tillman a hero is his bravery, his dedication, his enthusiasm and his honor. Tillman graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a 3.84 GPA before starting his NFL career. Those who knew him said he didn't do anything unless he could give it his full attention and that's why Tillman left the Cardinals to fight in Iraq. Tillman had his priorities straight-he knew what was important to him and he knew how insignificant football really is in the big scheme of things. Eli Manning could have learned a few things from Pat Tillman.

Shorthanded Sox sweep

On Sunday, the Red Sox starting infield consisted of Dave McCarty at first base, Cesar Crespo at second base, Pokey Reese at shortstop and Mark Bellhorn at third base. The Yankees had Jason Giambi at first, Enrique Wilson at second, Derek Jeter at shortstop and Alex Rodriguez at third. Was this Red Sox versus Yankees or Davis versus Goliath?

If you added the batting averages of the Red Sox infield coming into the game, you got .595. If you added the averages of the Yankees infield, you got .803. For you non-math majors out there, the average batting average for the Red Sox starting infield was just under .150 while the average for the Yankees was just over .200. These are anemic, pathetic numbers.

Who would have thought two months ago that the Red Sox would be 6-1 against the Yankees, holding their eight offensive all-stars to 19 runs in seven games? Certainly not me-I'm willing to admit that much. And who would have thought that the Red Sox relievers would be in the midst of a 24 2/3 scoreless innings streak after Sunday's game?

The Red Sox fan inside of me would love to think that the Red Sox have the Yankees' number this season, and that the Red Sox domination has been due to the Sox great play and not the Yankees' terrible play. However, the baseball fan inside knows that the Yankees will be back … and frankly, I'm a little scared. Who wouldn't be scared of the power and money of George Steinbrenner and the Yankees organization?

What's next in this storied rivalry? For one, the Yankees will add two starting pitchers and another relief pitcher by the end of May, especially if their stumble continues. Secondly, despite signing a multi-year contract just a few months ago, I wouldn't be shocked to see Joe Torre's reign as manager end midway through the season. Torre may feel financially secure, but he should by no means feel secure in his job. If this slide continues, don't be shocked to see Torre step down.

Finally, just wait until Nomar, Trot and BK are healthy. People have been talking about Nomar's injury, but Nixon is the heart and soul of this Red Sox team. Whenever he gets healthy, it will be a huge spark to an already-thin outfield unit. I'm not convinced that the Red Sox will run away with the AL East this season; quite frankly, it's still too early to tell. I am convinced that this summer will be unlike any I have witnessed. This may or may not be the year of the Red Sox, but it will definitely be a special and exciting season.