Random thoughts while waiting in traffic at the York tolls…

You don’t really believe Pedro Martinez is going to pitch for the Yankees, do you? Don’t forget about Pedro’s working hours on his non-pitching days. He generally shows up a couple of hours after the rest of the team, and is gone before anyone else. And don’t forget about his mid-summer vacation, when he heads to the Dominican Republic a day or two before the All-Star break actually begins. That act wouldn’t fly at Yankee Stadium, where the buttoned-down pinstripers run a tight ship. Having said that, don’t bet the ranch on his return to Boston. Someone, somewhere might drop a guaranteed third year on Pedro’s lap. If that happens, I don’t think the Red Sox will match the offer.

Right about now, Carl Pavano must be visiting the Pirates’ clubhouse in Pittsburgh, as his goodwill tour across America continue.

Has anyone noticed the NHL isn’t playing this fall?

If you’re commissioner Gary Bettman or union chief Bob Goodenow, the overall apathy towards this work stoppage should have you running to the boardroom. Instead, there are no talks planned. Look for the entire season to be officially canceled within the next month or so. And no one will notice.

If you’ve got a kid playing football, you won’t find a better role model than Troy Brown. He’ll do anything the coaches ask, any time.

The Celtics are a lot more fun to watch this year, even if their record doesn’t show it. Now, if Doc Rivers can remind these guys that there are four quarters in a basketball game, not three periods. Boston has blown three double-digit leads already this season.

The Boston College football team is winding down its final season of Big East play, and could wrap it up with its first-ever Big East championship. That would buy the B.C. a BCS Bowl game berth, a $2.5 million check… and even more animosity from the conference teams left behind when the Eagles fly south to the ACC.

Sad to see Drew Bledsoe slowly fade away, isn’t it? Even if you were a Tom Brady fan from the start of the 2001 season, you hate to see a guy lose it like that.

The Pats might only lose two or three games this entire season. Is it safe to call New England’s pro football team a dynasty now?

If I’m super-agent Scott Boras, I get Jason Varitek every last dollar I can find, wherever that money might come from. Then, if I’m Jason Varitek, I tell Scott Boras to get me every last dollar he can get me from Boston, and go back behind the plate for the team that I belong with.

That was Terry Francona being cheered by 65,000 fans at Gillette Stadium Sunday night. Aren’t we supposed to be genetically engineered to boo the manager of the Red Sox? How times have changed.

Speaking of genetic engineering, Chris Bourque scored two goals Friday night for Boston University. Unlike his father (Hall of Fame defenseman Ray), Chris plays forward. Like his father, he celebrates his goals by going down on one knee and giving it the fist pump.

Only three months until pitchers and catchers report in Ft. Myers. If we can only figure out who those pitchers and catchers will be.

Lewiston native Tom Caron covers the Bruins and Red Sox for NESN.