Maybe I don’t say this enough, what with all the Heidi love that gets flung around (!) these parts, but I’m totally down with TC. His insight and crisp delivery is a huge part of NESN’s pre- and post-game appeal, and I dig the way he makes the not-so-polished players-turned-commentators look even better.

I’m an even bigger fan of his recurring goatee, which adds just the right amount of danger to his ever-evolving persona. Clean cut TC is the kinda guy who opens doors for ladies, calls his mom twice a week, and can name every Fleetwood Mac B-side. But goateed TC? He might just slap the nurses’ ass when she turns to read his charts, suck down a quart of rum before each broadcast, and offer a couple college chicks access to Jacoby Ellsbury if they “sign up for open mic night” wink wink, nudge nudge.

So, yeah, the goatee can stay. We love it, TC.

Meanwhile, game one against the Indians, our pals from the 2007 ALCS, kicks off in mere moments. You can follow the game thread in the comments. The Great TC’s Goatee has decreed it!