Rain kept the Red Sox indoors Saturday (and it does not look good today). It was a good time to catch up on some former Sea Dogs.

See today's column on Jacoby Ellsbury getting hot at the right time.

Favorite statistic: When Ellsbury scores a run, Boston is 51-17.

Interesting to hear the debate on whether J.D. Drew should play hurt.

Drew has a herniated disc in his back. I'm guessing that all those tough media people saying Drew should play have never had such an injury.

I've had a herniated disc and it required surgery.

Granted, Drew is in a little (okay, a lot) better shape than some sportswriters. But the idea of swinging a bat with such an injury is not simply a case of strong will.

In Mike Lowell's case, he's dealing with pain in his hip which, we are told, cannot get worse even if plays. So he is trying. Lowell said the toughest part is when he's about to step into a pitch and then holds back from swinging.

"I cannot go up predetermined to swing," he said.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Lowell is "a tough kid, maybe the toughest I've ever seen. He's not ready to quit so we're not going to quit on him."

When told about Francona's comment about Lowell's toughness, Lowell smiled. "I guess that a compliment ... but I'm not ready for any tough man competitions."

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