This and That: 1/21

CELTICS

• Kevin Garnett appears poised to play tomorrow night for the first time in 10 games. The Celtics are 4-6 without him.
• Glen "Big Baby" Davis was fined $25,000 by the NBA for a profanity-laced comment toward a loudmouth Pistons fan that was calling Baby "fat boy" and other names during the game. Doc Rivers said Baby needs to "grow up" and we tend to agree. This coupled with the drunken fight that resulted in his broken hand are not helping his reputation. Not to mention his play on the court this season has not been nearly as good as last season.
  
• J.R. Giddens was sent to the team's NBDL affiliate the Maine Red Claws. Giddens is raw and hasn't seen the court much at all this season. This will be his third stint in the D-League. Bill Walker saw minutes last night that Giddens would normally see in the second quarter, so perhaps the two have flip-flopped on the depth chart.

RED SOX

• The Red Sox have signed P Chad Paronto (a UMASS alumni), P Scott Patterson, P Kelvin Pichardo, 2B Ray Chang, and 3B Christian Colonel to minor league contracts. All of these players posted good numbers in the minor leagues last season and will provide organizational depth. The pitchers in particular may have a better shot at helping the major league club with the middle relief of the staff not set in stone.
• In case you're looking for a new Red Sox hat, the team will have a new batting practice cap this season.

PATRIOTS

• Tom Brady and Randy Moss will not participate in this year's Pro Bowl. Both players elected to pull out of the meaningless game most likely to start nursing their nagging injuries throughout the year. Texans QB Matt Schaub and Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco will fill in. Following Wes Welker's obvious absence after his injury, the Patriots will be represented by Vince Wilfork, Logan Mankins, and Brandon Meriweather.
• It appears as if Floyd Reese will be back with the Patriots in the front office as the Seahawks hired a Packers executive for their GM position. Reese's value in the front office lies in his ability to piece together contracts to fit under the NFL's cap.
  
• Looking ahead to the NFL Draft, the Patriots will pick 22nd overall. Keep in mind, the team is also carrying 3 second round picks. For what it's worth, Mel Kiper's first mock draft has the Patriots selecting Clemson DE/LB Ricky Sapp.