Don't Usually Watch 'The Voice,' But Monday Night's Was Pretty Awesome

If you watch the video above, that pretty much sums up everything. NBC's "The Voice" is down to its last three contestants, with the winner being chosen live Tuesday night.

One of the finalists, Nick, performed "Play That Funky Music" with his coach, CeeLo Green on Monday night, and nearly brought the house down when CeeLo's mini-doppleganger Milo came out for a dance solo towards the end of the song. (Fast forward to 1:50).

Changing gears though, the show started off with a very somber, yet beautifully done rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" in memory of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.  Green, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton soloed with a background of contestants providing harmony.  Its tough to watch, but a really nice way to pay their respects.

Christmas-Themed Commercial Battle - Samsung

It's that time of year again, the Christmas season.  In honor of that, let's have another commercial battle.  I figure everyone could use a laugh, especially at a time like this, right?

Both of these commercials are from Samsung, who have launched a pretty serious campaign over the past six months.  They are both for Samsung's new phones, the Galaxy S III and Note II.  While both involving the same phones, the same kinda cool but not really necessary feature, but only one can win...

If it were up to me, the first one clearly takes it.  The original commercial was hilarious, but then you make it about the Claus's... Couldn't ask for more.  But hopefully its not up to me, let us know what you think in the comments below.

Is Stephen Drew Worth 9.5 Million Dollars?

No.

Four years ago, maybe.

The Red Sox, currently busy swooping up every over-priced free agent, have stayed true to their proven system of having solid veteran players while bringing up homegrown talent.  The shortstop position has been one held by an immeasurable number of players over the past decade and even know, despite the loss of Mike Aviles to the Blue Jays -- part of manager John Farell's compensation -- the Red Sox still have plenty of options.

Stephen Drew, younger brother to former Red Sox (and "greatest clutch hitter in Red Sox history" if you ask my two roommates) JD, has signed a one year, $9.5 million contract in Boston, and could possibly be the frontrunner for starter on Opening Day.  But he doesn't earn the position on merit alone.

Drew only played in 79 games last season between Arizona and Oakland, hitting just .223 with seven home runs.  His career year was in 2008, when he hit .291 with 21 homers and 67 RBI.  But we're looking ahead to 2013, and his opportunity comes as the Nation waits to see the progress of prospects Jose Iglesias and Xander Bogaerts, who factor to be lacing up their cleats for the big league club sometime this year.

Bogaerts, just 20 years old, is progressing quickly in the minors, while Iglesias as well as Pedro Ciriaco have already made an impact in Boston.  Many are claiming that Ciriaco's stock will be dropping this season now that pitchers have had time to adjust to his game, but for my money, between Will Middlebrooks and Dustin Pedroia, Ciriaco provides exactly what you're looking for in the field and out of the eight of nine spot in the lineup.

Drew's signing doesn't really do a lot for Boston.  He doesn't provide anything the Red Sox don't already have, but the one thing the signing does is add to the sentiment that the 2013 Boston Red Sox are not messing around.

ESPN NHL 13 Simulations Mean Nothing Unless You Are an Islanders Fan

Still no hockey. The NHLPA has proposed dissolving, which would make this whole process way harder than it has already. But luckily we have NHL 13 simulations, still!

The Bruins still suck, and the Islanders are third in the entire NHL.  An injury to Evgeni Nabakov should slow the roll of the Isles, and an MCL sprain knocked out PK Subban as well as any nastiness we could have hoped to see in a Bruins-Habs game... That's simulated... By ESPN.  Exciting.

Any time the spotlight is on Carolina and Washington, I think that sums up how things are going these days.

Please Pray for the Victims at Sandy Hook Elementary

There is no right or wrong way to react to a national tragedy like the events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut on Friday, but I urge everyone to please take a minute out of your day and pray for anyone who has been affected.

The Pacific Rim Trailer will Blow Your Socks Off

Mark your calendar's and fullscreen the video because Guillermo Del Toro's new film "Pacific Rim" is set to blow the world apart.  Picture if the US Army updated a set of Rock Em Sock Em Robots, upscaled those beasts to about a 90 ft scale and then sent them to fight gigantic Godzilla sized killer space aliens. I'm sold.

Can You Name Eight Players to Play for the 2004 Red Sox That Went on to Play for the Yankees?

Kevin Youkilis became the latest in a surprisingly long list of former Red Sox players to also lace 'em up for the New York Yankees.  A list that includes players like Wade Boggs, Luis Tiant and the immortal Eric Hinske from the 2007 World Series team.

But I came across an interesting fact on Wednesday: eight players from the 2004 Red Sox World Championship team have since gone on to play for the Bronx Bombers.  Can you name them all?

Kevin Youkilis - Youkilis signed a one year, $12 million deal with the Yankees on Tuesday, becoming the eighth former Red Sox champion to join the Evil Empire.

Derek Lowe - Lowe was an absolutely dominant pitcher for the Sox in the 2004 postseason.  For the Yankees in this past postseason?  A 13.50 ERA with just two innings pitched.

Johnny Damon - After having the game of his life in Game 7 of the ALCS in 2004 against the Yankees, ensuring the Sox trip to the World Series for the first time since 1986, Damon waited just a year until he fell to the dark side in 2006.  His stint lasted until 2009 as he averaged a .285 batting average with 19 homers a year.

Alan Embree - Embree was one of three relief pitchers to appear in the four games of the 2004 World Series, proving once again the dominance of the pitching performances that year.  In 2005, he played just 24 games with a 7.53 ERA in New York.  Should've stayed in Beantown...

Mark Bellhorn - Bellhorn got the 2004 Series off to a bang when he rattled a home run off of Pesky's Pole in right field, but his career quickly plummeted afterwards.  He played in just nine games for the Yankees in 2005, collecting a home run and a single as his only hits.

Ramiro Mendoza - Mendoza played for seven seasons in New York before coming to Boston to get his World Series ring in 2004.  So to show his thanks, he went right back to New York in 2005 to kick around in the minor leagues before his retirement in 2006.

Mike Myers - Myers managed to stay around for another go in 2005 in Boston, but packed his bags in 2006 for the Bronx.  He pitched just 30 innings that season, with another 40 more in 2007 -- the same season the Sox won another title.

Doug Mientkiewicz - It seemed like Mienkiewicz was just picking teams out of a hat after his defense helped the Sox secure their 2004 championship, and drew the Yankees in 2007 after two years with the Mets then Royals respectively.

So with the addition of Hinske, nine former Red Sox World Champions have gone on to play for the Yankees.  Scary thought, but with the exception of Damon, none of those players have come back to haunt the Red Sox, and I think Youkilis will fit right in with that trend.