Sibling Rivalry

As a sophomore in 2008, Lesley University catcher Jodi Fralick of Woburn put together one of the finest seasons in the history of the women's softball program. The Woburn High grad batted .503 with a single-season school record 73 hits, knocked in 47 runs, and scored 44 more. She was the unanimous choice as New England Collegiate Conference Player of the Year. This season, her younger sister Jenna (inset) basked in the limelight for the Lynx. Her overall numbers (.440 average, 44 hits, 33 runs, 23 RBIs)

As a sophomore in 2008, Lesley University catcher Jodi Fralick of Woburn put together one of the finest seasons in the history of the women's softball program. The Woburn High grad batted .503 with a single-season school record 73 hits, knocked in 47 runs, and scored 44 more. She was the unanimous choice as New England Collegiate Conference Player of the Year. This season, her younger sister Jenna (inset) basked in the limelight for the Lynx. Her overall numbers (.440 average, 44 hits, 33 runs, 23 RBIs)

THE ARTS As the holidays approach, it’s time to start thinking about one of the more traditional annual pastimes: fighting with your family. Compared to the relationships on display in “On an Average Day,’’ John Kolvenbach’s theatrical descent into the heart of darkness that can make up the relationships between brothers and fathers, your squabbles will seem like playground arguments over the swings. The story, a two-man performance starring Robert Kropf and Gabriel Kuttner, is about estranged brothers reunited in the home where their father abandoned them years before.

Peyton Manning could be the missing piece for the Miami Dolphins. Or, the Arizona Cardinals. Maybe even the New York Jets or Seattle Seahawks. Washington, Kansas City, Denver and Tennessee also are possible suitors. But for now, where the free agent quarterback lands is anybody's guess. Including Manning's. "I have no idea who wants me, what team wants me, how this process works," Manning said. "I don't know if it's like college recruiting where you go take visits.

BOSTON is a city of ghosts, but on the coldest of days, don’t expect them to come to you. Instead, visit Forest Hills Cemetery, a rambling Victorian-era burial ground about four miles from downtown and a splendidly quiet place to roam. Winding paths crisscross its 275 acres, and if you pick up a map by the entrance, you can find the graves of Anne Sexton, E. E. Cummings and Eugene O’Neill. Drive slowly along the narrow roads until you find a good place to park and wander.

The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers have thrived this season because they are physical, relentless and combative. Just like their coaches. The no-holds barred sibling rivalry between John and Jim Harbaugh moves to the national stage on Thanksgiving night, when they make NFL history by becoming the first brothers to compete on opposite sidelines as head coaches. John Harbaugh is seeking to take the Ravens (7-3) to the playoffs for the fourth time in as many years at the helm.

Peyton Manning could be the missing piece for the Miami Dolphins. Or, the Arizona Cardinals. Maybe even the New York Jets or Seattle Seahawks. Washington, Kansas City, Denver and Tennessee also are possible suitors. But for now, where the free agent quarterback lands is anybody's guess. Including Manning's. "I have no idea who wants me, what team wants me, how this process works," Manning said. "I don't know if it's like college recruiting where you go take visits.

The Harbaugh brothers met in the middle of the field, hugged, expressed their love for each other and headed off in opposite directions. After their much-anticipated, oft-analyzed and historic confrontation was over, John and Jim Harbaugh expressed gratitude over having the opportunity to face each other on Thanksgiving. John was just little bit happier, of course, because his Baltimore Ravens beat Jim's San Francisco 49ers 16-6 Thursday night. "I felt really humble, just thankful," John said.

The great character actor Steve Buscemi -- a sad sack with wellsprings of smart, blue-collar peevishness -- occasionally deigns to make movies: "Trees Lounge" (1996), "Animal Factory" (2000), and now "Lonesome Jim. " (He also occasionally directs episodes of "The Sopranos," including the wonderful 2001 episode in which Paulie Walnuts and Christophuh got lost in the woods, and the more recent wedding of Johnny Sack's daughter.) Like Buscemi's other movies, "Lonesome Jim" is a tale that finds extremely dry comedy in loserdom.

The Baltimore Ravens defense is difficult enough to prepare for during a normal week. Three days of film study just wasn't enough time for San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith, who was repeatedly victimized by Baltimore's stunts and blitzes in a 16-6 loss Thursday night. Smith was sacked nine times, intercepted once and completed only 15 of 24 passes for 140 yards. Take away the 44 yards in sacks, and the 49ers produced fewer than 100 yards passing. "It's tough to get ready for a defense like that in a short week," Smith said.

The Harbaugh brothers met in the middle of the field, hugged, expressed their love for each other and headed off in opposite directions. After their much-anticipated, oft-analyzed and historic confrontation was over, John and Jim Harbaugh expressed gratitude over having the opportunity to face each other on Thanksgiving. John was just little bit happier, of course, because his Baltimore Ravens beat Jim's San Francisco 49ers 16-6 Thursday night. "I felt really humble, just thankful," John said.

The Baltimore Ravens defense is difficult enough to prepare for during a normal week. Three days of film study just wasn't enough time for San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith, who was repeatedly victimized by Baltimore's stunts and blitzes in a 16-6 loss Thursday night. Smith was sacked nine times, intercepted once and completed only 15 of 24 passes for 140 yards. Take away the 44 yards in sacks, and the 49ers produced fewer than 100 yards passing. "It's tough to get ready for a defense like that in a short week," Smith said.

The Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers have thrived this season because they are physical, relentless and combative. Just like their coaches. The no-holds barred sibling rivalry between John and Jim Harbaugh moves to the national stage on Thanksgiving night, when they make NFL history by becoming the first brothers to compete on opposite sidelines as head coaches. John Harbaugh is seeking to take the Ravens (7-3) to the playoffs for the fourth time in as many years at the helm.

THE ARTS As the holidays approach, it’s time to start thinking about one of the more traditional annual pastimes: fighting with your family. Compared to the relationships on display in “On an Average Day,’’ John Kolvenbach’s theatrical descent into the heart of darkness that can make up the relationships between brothers and fathers, your squabbles will seem like playground arguments over the swings. The story, a two-man performance starring Robert Kropf and Gabriel Kuttner, is about estranged brothers reunited in the home where their father abandoned them years...

HAMPTON, Ga. - The other Busch showed his kid brother a thing or two. Kurt Busch, a former NASCAR Cup champion who's been overshadowed lately by his sibling Kyle, drove to a dominating victory yesterday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The 30-year-old Busch led 234 of 330 laps in the Kobalt Tools 500, surviving a couple of scrapes with the wall and a late caution to pull away and beat Jeff Gordon by 332-thousandths of a second. Pole-sitter Mark Martin, who had become the second-oldest driver in Cup history to claim the top spot in qualifying, had another rough...

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Tyler Hansbrough doesn't pay attention to stats. Not his own, anyway. Obviously, North Carolina's star forward knows he has posted some record-book numbers, and knowing is good enough. When it comes to how his brother, Ben, is playing at Mississippi State, however, Tyler turns into a full-fledged stat-watcher. "It's that relationship where you have to know what's going on with each other," Tyler Hansbrough said. The Hansbroughs aren't the only siblings making significant impacts at different schools this season.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Tyler Hansbrough doesn't pay attention to stats. Not his own, anyway. Obviously, North Carolina's star forward knows he has posted some record-book numbers, and knowing is good enough. When it comes to how his brother, Ben, is playing at Mississippi State, however, Tyler turns into a full-fledged stat-watcher. "It's that relationship where you have to know what's going on with each other," Tyler Hansbrough said. The Hansbroughs aren't the only siblings making significant impacts at different schools this season.

HAMPTON, Ga. - The other Busch showed his kid brother a thing or two. Kurt Busch, a former NASCAR Cup champion who's been overshadowed lately by his sibling Kyle, drove to a dominating victory yesterday at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The 30-year-old Busch led 234 of 330 laps in the Kobalt Tools 500, surviving a couple of scrapes with the wall and a late caution to pull away and beat Jeff Gordon by 332-thousandths of a second. Pole-sitter Mark Martin, who had become the second-oldest driver in Cup history to claim the top spot in qualifying, had another rough day...

BOSTON is a city of ghosts, but on the coldest of days, don’t expect them to come to you. Instead, visit Forest Hills Cemetery, a rambling Victorian-era burial ground about four miles from downtown and a splendidly quiet place to roam. Winding paths crisscross its 275 acres, and if you pick up a map by the entrance, you can find the graves of Anne Sexton, E. E. Cummings and Eugene O’Neill. Drive slowly along the narrow roads until you find a good place to park and wander.

The great character actor Steve Buscemi -- a sad sack with wellsprings of smart, blue-collar peevishness -- occasionally deigns to make movies: "Trees Lounge" (1996), "Animal Factory" (2000), and now "Lonesome Jim. " (He also occasionally directs episodes of "The Sopranos," including the wonderful 2001 episode in which Paulie Walnuts and Christophuh got lost in the woods, and the more recent wedding of Johnny Sack's daughter.) Like Buscemi's other movies, "Lonesome Jim" is a tale that finds extremely dry comedy in loserdom.