SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES

Gulp hard, Yankee fans. Looks like we are in for another year of dominance from Boston Red Sox ace, Pedro Martinez. Gordon Edes reports in the Boston Globe that Pedro is good to go for opening day. Some Yankee fans may express skepticism about worrying too tough about Martinez as the Bombers have pretty much broken even against him since he's been in the league. All the same, it scares me, because I revere Pedro's greatness, and after all, he does pitch for the dreaded Sox.

''I'm not quite sure how hard I was throwing,'' Martinez said, ''but from the first day I pitched on the side, I felt more strength and flexibility, and I've had pretty good command of everything. That's something weird compared to last year.''

This time last year Martinez was still feeling his way back from a partially torn right rotator cuff.

''I'm a lot more relaxed, I'm very comfortable with myself,'' Martinez said, echoing a theme he has sounded all spring.