Red Sox Magic Number - 17

With Josh Beckett out-dueling Roy Halladay last night - the Red Sox new magic number is 17. The win was Beckett's 17th of the season - so his 17th win made the magic number 17. Serendipity.

In Boston the number 17 means John Havlicek who remains one of the most under-rated athletes in history. Havlicek could score, pass, rebound and defend. Most importantly he could run the guts out of any defender who tried to keep up with him.

Today for the Red Sox - the number 17 is worn by Manny Delcarmen. At the trade deadline the White Sox were supposedly asking for Delcarmen and prospect pitcher Craig Hansen in exchange for slugger Jermaine Dye. With the emergence of fan favorite Jacoby Ellsbury - you don't hear anyone whining about how the Red Sox should have made the deal for Dye.