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There's still something special about beating the Yankees, so last night's victory was extra sweet. Jon Garland lasted 8.1 innings, giving up only one earned run and seven hits, and the bullpen managed -- just barely -- to preserve the win, almost blowing a 6-1 lead. Matt Thornton threw nine pitches, only three of them for strikes (one of those was a base hit), and allowed the runner he inherited to score. Bobby Jenks also allowed both runners he inherited to score, but held on to earn his 16th save in 17 chances. (Bad Bobby is the only Sox player worthy of the All-Star Game this year.)

Jim Thome and Paul Konerko (batting in the sixth hole in the order) each homered and Konerko went 3 for 4. The Yankee announcers were debating whether Thome, who now has 480 home runs, should make the Hall of Fame, assuming that he makes it to 500 homers. The Update believes that for non-steroid players like Thome and Frank Thomas, 500 dingers is an automatic ticket in. But both of those guys are more than home run hitters. They're a far cry from Dave Kingman (the first player to reach 400 homers and not make the Hall). They both know how to draw a walk and have high on base percentages, high slugging percentages, and therefore, high OPS (On base Plus Slugging percentage). You've read the Update's case for Big Frank making it before, so we won't repeat it here, but does anyone out there think that just because these guys play DH now that they don't deserve the HOF? Let's hear from you. Go Sox!