
You know who threw out the first pitch Tuesday night at Fenway Park? Chewbacca. Yes, a wookiee. Chewie is known for his wicked fastball, and his propensity for pulling people's arms out of their sockets when he loses. See the pic in context here.
It went something like this: A man planted a seed for a Chinese bamboo tree, and he watered and fertilized it every day. After a year, he had nothing. Undaunted, he kept watering and fertilizing. After two years, he still had nothing. Three years passed. Four years passed. Still nothing.
But the fifth year, he was rewarded with a Chinese bamboo tree, 90 feet tall.
"That's a story about us," Mariucci said. "We are like a Chinese bamboo tree. The Chinese bamboo tree is going to grow 90 feet, and it's going to grow this year."
• MVP: Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota, quarterback.
• Offensive player of the year: LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego, running back.
• Defense player of the year: Julius Peppers, Carolina, defensive end.
• Offensive rookie of the year: Matt Jones, Jacksonville, receiver.
• Defensive rookie of the year: Demarcus Ware, Dallas, defensive end.
• Coach of the year: John Fox, Carolina.
• Comeback player of the year: Steve Smith, Carolina, receiver.