Congratulations to the Celtics for starting the season 12-0 at home. They tied a franchise record last night that was set by the 1983-84 Celtics with a 104-82 win over the Bucks last night.

Following in the footsteps of our friends over at blogging.la (aka Metroblogging Los Angeles), we here in Boston are wondering who is Boston’s Grinch of the Year.

We are looking to you, our readers, for nominations. Basically any person or group of people who had a negative impact on Boston in this past year. You should know what a Grinch is if you have every read the book, seen the tv special, or seen the movie.

I think some other cities may be nominating the Patriots or the Red Sox for their award, but not sure who we should pick here, so throw out some names in the comments section and we will start a poll at the beginning of next week to get a winner!

Not that we thought there would be, but it’s nice to know for sure. For those who don’t know, the Mitchell Report is a report on an investigation in to steroid use in Major League Baseball by former Senator Majority Leader George Mitchell.

I quickly searched for Red Sox and though the name came up many times, nothing about current players. Some former players mentioned include Roger Clemens and Mo Vaughn.

My biggest annoyance with the report?

When the Boston Red Sox were considering acquiring Gagné, a Red Sox official made specific inquiries about Gagné’s possible use of steroids. In a November 1, 2006 email to a Red Sox scout, general manager Theo Epstein asked, “Have you done any digging on Gagne? I know the Dodgers think he was a steroid guy. Maybe so. What do you hear on his medical?” The scout, Mark Delpiano, responded,

“Some digging on Gagne and steroids IS the issue. Has had a checkered medical past throughout career including minor leagues. Lacks the poise and commitment to stay healthy, maintain body and re invent self. What made him a tenacious closer was the max effort plus stuff . . . Mentality without the plus weapons and without steroid help probably creates a large risk in bounce back durability and ability to throw average while allowing the changeup to play as it once did . . . Personally, durability (or lack of) will follow Gagne . . .”

If Theo knew this was an issue why did he sign the man who became the bane of our late season relief?

Update: Statement from the Red Sox

That storm everyone has been talking about is on us and seems to be in full swing now. Weather Underground has a Heavy Snow Warning in effect for our area, and they’re talking six to twelve inches by 11pm.

Anyone who parks on the street should be checking for snow emergency signs where they’re parked, and now might be a good time to sign up for the city’s Snow Information and Advisory Program. Also, check your local sidewalk cleaning laws. In Cambridge, Brookline, and probably other towns, homeowners are legally required to clean sidewalks within a few hours of the snow fall.

Update: It is officially a snow emergency in Boston.

One of the things that appealed to me when I moved down from Vermont was the public transportation system. Although the MBTA has lost some of its luster for me, I do still enjoy seeing some of their attempts at improving. Especially when those efforts involve the community as a whole.

On December 5th, the General Manager of the MBTA (Daniel Grabauskas), Representative Sanchez, and several artists from the Hyde Square Task Force announced the completion of the Mural they’ve been creating in the Jackson Square T station.

The Hyde Square Task Force is a group of volunteers established in the late 1980’s to help clean up the Hyde Square neighborhood. They’re a non-profit group and this mural is one of their latest initiatives.

Read the full story on the MBTA’s site here, and the next time you’re heading in that direction take a moment to see the result of these peoples’ hard work and dedication to their community.

Eric Gagne has finally lived up to his job title and Sox fans everywhere can breathe a big sigh of relief. According to this, the reliever has declined the team’s offer for salary arbitration making it highly unlikely that we’ll see him back in a Red Sox uniform. The fine print still says the Sox have the option of signing him, but something tells me we’re in the clear.

Thanks for taking one for the team, buddy!

A nasty crash of a tanker truck carrying a full load of 10,000 gallons of gasoline on Main Street in Everett caused quite a scene in Everett this morning. The gas ignited as many as 40 cars and 3 residential buildings.

Displaced residents are at the Everett armory. I heard on the radio this morning (but seemingly can’t find details) that they are looking for warm clothes to give to the people who can’t return to their homes. So, if you were cleaning out your closet this weekend, this may be a place to put that old sweater that Grandma gave you 5 years ago.

Photos from Boston.com