10 Christmas Gifts for Boston Sports Fans

Ho-Ho-Ho...   It's that time of year - the wrapping paper is strewn everywhere like a small tornado hit my living room, my wife and I are pouring coffee down our throats due to the 5 AM wake-up call, the kids are in a chocolate and video-game induced state of semi-consciousness and the blur that is Christmas is over... The three week build-up ended quicker than the Red Sox 2012 pennant hopes and with my three-year-old son's cry of, "That's it?!  I want more gifts...!" - just as ugly.

But as I stuff my seventh trash bag filled with enough paper to create my own holiday landfill, I reflect upon the many gifts I have received and I am not even talking about my KISS Pez candy dispenser.

But rather as a Boston Sports Fan, I realize that over the year there have been so many gifts that makes me take pause and say, "Thank you, Santa."    HERE ARE TEN:

1. WES WELKER - Forget about last year's Super Bowl missed catch, this spark plug plays tough, consistent and has been the security blanket to Tom Brady's Linus.  Not to mention setting an NFL record for five consecutive 100 catch seasons in a row.  It will be sad to see him go.

2.BILL BELICHICK - The Grinch makes all things possible at this time of year.

3.  Shayne Victorino - Sad to see Cody Ross go but like a Yankee Swap, Boston fans are getting something just as good if not better.  He hits, runs, plays defense and is THRILLED to play in Boston.  Sox desperately could have used his locker room presence last year.

4. FENWAY PARK - I've seen Wrigley, Baltimore's Memorial Stadium and Candlestick Park - nothing compares to Fenway.

5.  John Farrell - two gifts in one: saying goodbye to Bobby V and the great addition of the low-key style of John Farrell.

6. ROBERT KRAFT - Father Christmas single-handedly turned the NFL doormats into a dynasty.  Best owner in pro sports, hands down.

7. KEVIN GARNETT - With the Red Sox failures, the NHL lockout and the Celtics looking old, it's harder to locate the gift from our winter sports teams but not impossible. KG brought heart, soul & toughness to the Celts. Paul Pearce - as great as he is - was always Robin - never Batman.  It may be Rondo's team but the heart & soul is all KG.

8. Bruins win the Cup - I know it's two years old but given the Jacobs family history, we may never see another Stanley Cup in our lifetime, so let's remember this for a while.

9. VINCE WILFORK - the Big Man finally started getting his due nationally but fans in New England have known how great he's been for the Patriots for a long time now...

10. Tom Brady- the gift that keeps giving.  Three Super Bowl victories and counting....  With number 12 behind center, the Patriots have an annual chance to win it all...

BOSTON SPORTS: The gift that keeps giving