REPORTING FROM THE JOCK-O-SPHERE

Jacoby Ellsbury: A Reason to Believe

The Red Sox used 8 of their 9 lives last night- but as Jacoby will tell you, it only takes one:

"If ever there was a testament to what can happen when guys just go out there and battle and compete, no matter what the score, this was it," he writes. "You always hear about how it's not over until it's over, and then you see something like this to believe it.

" Each pitch, each at-bat, each out, you've got to stay at it, and we did. The crowd got into it and so did we. It was exciting for anyone who was here. It was exciting for the players, it was exciting for the fans. You definitely feel the energy in the dugout when the place is rocking like that, and it kind of gets you going."

Carlos Pena: Only One Loss

Carlos is as cool as the other side of the pillow on this one, because it's only one notch in the L column:

"Crazy. Tonight's game was absolutely crazy," he writes.

"Right now, my main focus is to minimize tonight's game to being what it was—just one loss. And the more we can take it as that, the better we will be the next time we take the field. As a teammate and personally, I'm just trying to make sure that we understand this is only one loss. It could have been 4-3 or 1-0, and it was worth the same.

"It was like that home run you hit over the wall and the home run you hit that goes 100 feet—both count the same. So I think for all of us to understand that is incredibly powerful."

Perspective is awesome, but if you can't take care of business and put down the never-say-die Red Sox, it's not that awesome.

David Beckham: Playing Well and Without Fear

David Beckham blogs from Belarus on the heels of another victory (thanks be to Wayne Rooney for 5 goals in 3 games):

"Well, it's job done as far as the England games go for this year," he writes. "We've also set a record for an England team as we have never won our first four World Cup qualifying games in a row before. The great thing is the team is playing well again and without fear. We're not just beating teams by the odd goal either, but winning comfortably and that kind of confidence we can take on into the rest of the qualifiers."

Rajon Rondo: Waiting on that Ring

"The preseason has been good so far," he writes. "We've all been chillin' together-building our team chemistry. I can't wait till the first game now—waiting on that ring! It's crazy how much things have changed in the past couple of months.

"I've gone to so many different places, and experienced so many different things: the ESPYs and the White House are two that stand out. Last night, I went to another event that I have to add to my list- the GQ Gentleman's Ball. I had a really good time, met a lot of different people, did a lot of networking, and of course I was fly, so that made it even better. Y'all know I think I'm the best dressed on the team."

We're pretty sure Garnett is the best dressed, but if you're going to tell him to his face, make sure you're wearing glasses. We're even more certain that Garnett doesn't hit people wearing glasses.

Peyton Manning: Reclaiming the Swagger

Peyton starts his entry with a little flashback action:

"Being in Texas just a few weeks after Hurricane Ike cause so much damage and pain, it was definitely emotional being there," he writes. "It was inspiring to see people rebuilding their lives, but it was nice to be able to see them with something to cheer for, even if it was the other team. Some things are just bigger than football and it was important for us to be there and giving them a good show.

"That said, once the game got going, we didn't exactly look good for the first 57 minutes, but we got the win. The way we did it was pretty exciting and nerve wracking at the same time. You're watching the clock and you sort of do the math and you say, 'It's going to take three scores. Are we going to have time?'

"So pulling it out at the end the way we did, the game they're calling the comeback for ages, was definitely something that gave us some swagger back."

LeBron James: Vote!

LeBron wants everyone clamoring for change to back up their noise by voting:

"First and foremost, I want to make sure everyone who can vote gets out and does so next month," he writes. "We can't sit around and complain about things or say we need change and then not do anything about it. I've been telling people how important this election is, so whether you can vote or you get your parents to vote, change is coming. VOTE!"

Nick Symmonds: Training Table

Middle-distance track athlete Nick Symmonds breaks down his routine for the future Prefontaines out there:

"I woke up today VERY excited to begin my fall base training," he writes. "I've said before that I truly believe this is where an athlete makes much of their progress. The stronger I become this fall the more speed work I'll be able to put in the spring as well as providing me the fitness to extend my outdoor season well into the summer."

For you aspiring elite runners, check out his base training regimen here.

For the rest of you, this might just be the ticket you need to breathe some variety into your routine.

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