Random thoughts while waiting in traffic at the York tolls…

It’s nearly impossible to believe, but interest in the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry has increased. After the wild four-game set at Yankee Stadium that started July 4 (with chin music, whining, and tears from The Boss), fans have been waiting for this weekend all month. Now it’s here … and we’ve got a much better idea about how this AL East race really shapes up.

The Red Sox get Scott Sauerbeck, the Yankees get former Met Jesse Orosco. Yes, the Yanks usually beat the Sox. Not on this one. Boston gets a solid reliever who’s lights out against lefties; New York gets a reliever 10 years past his prime.

Can lightning strike in Foxboro again? Maybe it was a good sign that the first day of Patriots training camp – moved to Foxboro to increase the fans’ comfort – was closed because of thunderstorms.

The Mighty Ducks sign Sergei Federov. The Colorado Avalanche sign Paul Kariya and Teemu Selanne. The Red Wings announce the return of Dominik Hasek. The Bruins sign Ted Donato. Any wonder why there’s no buzz around the black and gold with training camp just seven weeks away?

The other team at the FleetCenter, the Celtics, isn’t exactly creating excitement this summer. Yes, they made Tommy Heinson happy and got Walter McCarty back. No, they won’t be any better than last season. In fact, if they’re that good again, we should be happy.

Before Orosco, the Yankees got failed Mets closer Armando Benitez. Who’s next, Sid Fernandez? Ron Darling?

Couldn’t we just save all the hassle and have Lance Armstrong and the boys do this on stationary bikes?

That tick, tick, tick you hear is the clock counting down on the NHL. In just over 12 months, the collective bargaining agreement expires. If there is any work stoppage whatsoever, professional hockey as we know it is gone. And it’s not coming back anytime soon.

The Patriots did the right thing by extending Bill Belichick’s contract Wednesday. Next up: the Red Sox, who have to decide if Grady Little is their manager of the future.

Just four days until the major-league baseball trade deadline. Theo Epstein will be working the phones trying to add a starter to the rotation. If he does, you can honestly say this Red Sox team has a serious shot at making a deep run into the playoffs … and could even compete for the whole enchilada. If he doesn’t pull off another deal, this is still a playoff team. I’m just not sure it’s got enough to go all the way.

Speaking of the trade deadline, wonder if Yankee GM Brian Cashman is trying to bring Rick Aguilera to the Stadium. Or Bobby Ojeda.

Lewiston native Tom Caron is a sports analyst for NESN telecasts of Red Sox and Bruins games.

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