The MBTA's proposed fare hikes and service cuts have caused a stir in Massachusetts. Hundreds protested the proposals Monday night in Boston during a rally at Boston Public Library. According to Boston.com, the "T would raise subway fares by up to 70 cents and dramatically cut bus routes, eliminate ferries, and end weekend commuter rail trains."

The moves are in hopes of helping erase a $161 million deficit.

However, the Boston Herald came out with a piece yesterday that showed 631 MBTA staff members earned more than $100,000 last year. The entire payroll is available for public review, and can be seen on the MBTA website.

Sound cash-strapped to you?

Can you feel it? Tomorrow's Truck Day at Fenway.

OK, it's little more than the Red Sox equipment truck being packed up on Yawkey Way, as it prepares for its trip south the Fort Myers, Fla. and the beginning of Red Sox spring training. Some though see it as the poetic re-birth of baseball, and the inevitability of spring.

It's really just a truck.

Still, the Red Sox - and many teams in baseball - have made Truck Day into an annual event, when fans can gather and wish the equipment a safe journey.

Spring training begins for real on Feb. 19, when pitchers and catchers report to the Red Sox' new spring facility, JetBlue Park. If you're making the trip this year, here's a little roundup of what to expect, where to stay, and where to eat.

What an kick to the gut.

For the second time in four years, the New York Giants have snatched a Super Bowl victory from the grasp of the New England Patriots, beating them in Indianapolis last night, 21-17. Once again, it took an impressive fourth quarter drive by Eli Manning and the Giants, and left the Patriots with a last-second, Tom Brady Hail Mary, which was batted down in the end zone as time expired.

So, how you feeling?

Where does this rank among the most recent losses in recent Boston history? Worse than losing the perfect season? Worse than the Bruins' 3-0, 3-0 loss to the Flyers in 2010? Worse than (gulp) Aaron Boone?

The Red Sox might start spring training in mere days, but there's a little game to get through before we all wonder if Josh Beckett and Co. can rebound from the disastrous end to 2011.

In case you haven't heard (and if you haven't, get out from under that rock), the Patriots and Giants face off in Super Bowl XLVI Sunday evening in Indianapolis. There's been a lot of trash talk coming from Big Blue in the days leading up to the game, while the Patriots have seemingly maintained their mission of keeping lips shut so as not to raise any bulletin board material.

Meanwhile, in Boston, Mayor Menino has put some tight restrictions on watching the game in Boston. Thousands of officers will flood city streets near bars in the vicinity of Fenway Park and the Boston Garden to control any celebrations getting out of hand, as well as around city colleges. Looking for a more subdued way to watch the game? Here's a list of area restaurants running food specials for the Big Game.

Where do you plan to watch the Super Bowl? Here are some more ideas, or send us your own suggestions.