Just some random thoughts for a random Friday in the midst of the most random of sport seasons.

* Now that we are officially down to two professional sports in this country, do you think there might be room for a cricket league?

It's just a consideration. After all, we do allow young, impressionable kids to waste their few, precious Saturday afternoons watching golf on T.V.

* The year is 1991. Victor "Santa Claus" Kiam is making a mockery of professional football. He's wrestling with his G.M. in the press box, he's making light of a sexual harassment case against his high school football team, and he's hired everybody's surrogate grandfather as a coach.

Be honest, did anybody out there have any idea that by 1994 the Patriots would be the bright, shining star in the Boston sports galaxy?

* It's nice to have a Kennedy back in Boston who will remain sober on the job.

Of course, once Kevin Kennedy sees his 1995 lineup, he just might reach for the old bottle.

* On a serious note, the biggest shame of this whole strike, is that Andre Dawson ended his illustriuos career on the couch rather than on the diamond.

Even though he was here for just two years, the Sox should have a day in his honor.

* The Celtics should already be planning a day for M.L. Carr. The Celtics are not contenders, except for maybe the last playoff spot.

But has anyone in recent years come in with as much enthusiasm and confidence as M.L. has? He hasn't sat still since the moment he took the reigns from Gavitt.

The team still has many holes, but there will be reason to tune in this year. He went out and signed free agents, despite the salary cap restraints. Carr almost found a way to keep the Chief even when everyone knew he would have a new address this year (including UPS). And he even flirted with Chicago about Jordan.

There won't be a 17th banner hanging in the rafters next year at this time, but with Carr at the helm, it at last looks like there may be a 17th banner in the remainder of this century.

* The stupidity of the NHL is unbelievable. It has always been the fourth favorite of the professional leagues. Then last year, it has the greatest playoffs in years--people in California actually cared about hockey.

And now, with the future so bright, the owners call a lockout. I say, let the league fold. These idiots aren't even smart enough to take advantage of the position they are in. Baseball owners at least know that the fans will always come back.

Of course, one of the issues relates to a salary cap. Sure, players should not make salaries equivalent to the GNP of small Pacific islands. But its the owners who are paying.

Why is it that in every other industry in America, there is no need for a salary cap. Only in sports, because you have fools calling the shots.

* Just one more thought before I go. Do you think Montans is as good as Bledsoe?

With his heroics again this week he might well have moved a little closer to the wonderchild from Washington, True Drew.

Anyway, you sports fans can think about that one for awhile. In the mean time, good luck in your search for sports on T.V. It's slim pickings these days.