Good luck to Ben Cherington as he takes over for old pal, Theo Epstein.
I have to admit, his tenure started off on the right foot when he announced the first good news we have heard from some time out of Fenway.
John Lackey will not pitch in 2012.
That frees up a spot in the rotation for a non-stiff to throw on the fifth day.
October 26, 2011
October 21, 2011
Is Ownership out of Touch?
I like to think I am more of the thinking man's Red Sox fan. But this guy has it right about the organization when it comes to knowing its true (non-pink hatted) fan base.
October 14, 2011
Lack of Leadership and no Lack of Lackey
From the top down, it seems that the 2011 Boston Red Sox were somewhat rudderless. That is amazing considering the management talent that was apparent within the organization.
Are the Sox now fat and happy? As Bob Ryan points out in today's Boston Globe, ownership, management, players, all knew that they had some problem children in the clubhouse, but since things were going well, they let it slide.
Let that be a lesson, the best time to come down on multi-millionaire players are when things are going good. As my wife calls it, come in with the compliment sandwich.
It goes something like this: "Hey Josh...you looked great out there today. Had the curveball under control all night. Great job. Oh, by the way, you may need to work on your sobriety in-between starts. But really, I thought that third inning, you did a wonderful job of shaking off those errors by Scutaro and Crawford, buckling down and getting that double-play to get us out of the inning with just a single run on the board."
For whatever reasons, the GM, the Manager, the Captain, the de-facto Captain (Dustin Pedroia), could not or would not step up and get in the players faces and call them out.
Are the Sox now fat and happy? As Bob Ryan points out in today's Boston Globe, ownership, management, players, all knew that they had some problem children in the clubhouse, but since things were going well, they let it slide.
Let that be a lesson, the best time to come down on multi-millionaire players are when things are going good. As my wife calls it, come in with the compliment sandwich.
It goes something like this: "Hey Josh...you looked great out there today. Had the curveball under control all night. Great job. Oh, by the way, you may need to work on your sobriety in-between starts. But really, I thought that third inning, you did a wonderful job of shaking off those errors by Scutaro and Crawford, buckling down and getting that double-play to get us out of the inning with just a single run on the board."
For whatever reasons, the GM, the Manager, the Captain, the de-facto Captain (Dustin Pedroia), could not or would not step up and get in the players faces and call them out.
October 13, 2011
God Hates the Red Sox
October 12, 2011
Theo Epstein to the Cubs?
Tito is already gone.
Now Theo? Can we at least get the Cubs to take Lackey as compensation for taking our Brookline native and life-long Sox fan?
Think about it. There has been more activity between front offices and compensation lately. As it should be if the Manager or GM is still an employee or has a valid contract with his current club. Instead of getting a couple of minor leaguers back from the Cubs as compensation, let's force John Lackey down their throat, of course, as long as Chicagoans are not already Lackey-intolerant, as we have become here in Boston.
Shouldn't it really be this way? Epstein signed Lackey. It is only fair, right? Take your garbage with you Theo. Lackey could use a change of scenery and may be better served pitching in the National League.
If I am Theo Epstein, I would jump at this opportunity. Wouldn't you like to go down in history as the man that brought championships to the Red Sox - after 86 years, and the Cubs, after 186 years?
Now Theo? Can we at least get the Cubs to take Lackey as compensation for taking our Brookline native and life-long Sox fan?
Think about it. There has been more activity between front offices and compensation lately. As it should be if the Manager or GM is still an employee or has a valid contract with his current club. Instead of getting a couple of minor leaguers back from the Cubs as compensation, let's force John Lackey down their throat, of course, as long as Chicagoans are not already Lackey-intolerant, as we have become here in Boston.
Shouldn't it really be this way? Epstein signed Lackey. It is only fair, right? Take your garbage with you Theo. Lackey could use a change of scenery and may be better served pitching in the National League.
If I am Theo Epstein, I would jump at this opportunity. Wouldn't you like to go down in history as the man that brought championships to the Red Sox - after 86 years, and the Cubs, after 186 years?
October 7, 2011
White Sox get their man...who is ours?
Robin Ventura? Really? Well, I've gotta hand it to Jerry Reinsdorf, he does think outside the box. Ugh...so sick of that cliche.
Anyway, Reinsdorf has a history of this. An un-NBA proven Zen-Master in training in Phil Jackson. Ozzie Guillen. Tom Thibodeau. So far so good. But has he gone a bit far with this?
Time will only tell, but it seems to me like Reinsdorf seems to do a better job than most in picking his leaders of men. Which, considering they have to lead men that make multiple times their salaries, is quite a tough job. Imagine going to the owner of your company, every day, and telling him what to do? Does not happen on a regular basis.
Which leads us back to the Red Sox. I like the idea of going with an unproven, no-name brand. The expectations are much lower, meaning a lot of the day-to-day pressure is removed from the manager and placed back on the GM and owner.
From a management perspective, already knowing that you are hiring a guy to someday be fired (hello Tito, thanks for the memories) and putting him behind the proverbial eight ball because he has to manage John Lackey, among others, who makes 6 to 7 times what the new manager is likely to make, seems to make a lot more sense. The alternative is to bring in a LaRussa, Torre-type at $6 million for 5 years and hope they still have the fire to kick some drunken pitching tail.
Anyway, Reinsdorf has a history of this. An un-NBA proven Zen-Master in training in Phil Jackson. Ozzie Guillen. Tom Thibodeau. So far so good. But has he gone a bit far with this?
Time will only tell, but it seems to me like Reinsdorf seems to do a better job than most in picking his leaders of men. Which, considering they have to lead men that make multiple times their salaries, is quite a tough job. Imagine going to the owner of your company, every day, and telling him what to do? Does not happen on a regular basis.
Which leads us back to the Red Sox. I like the idea of going with an unproven, no-name brand. The expectations are much lower, meaning a lot of the day-to-day pressure is removed from the manager and placed back on the GM and owner.
From a management perspective, already knowing that you are hiring a guy to someday be fired (hello Tito, thanks for the memories) and putting him behind the proverbial eight ball because he has to manage John Lackey, among others, who makes 6 to 7 times what the new manager is likely to make, seems to make a lot more sense. The alternative is to bring in a LaRussa, Torre-type at $6 million for 5 years and hope they still have the fire to kick some drunken pitching tail.
October 5, 2011
Looks Like Terry Francona will be OK...He Has a Job Offer on the Table
Although a slight cut in pay, this may be a great career and life-style change move for Terry Francona.
Being a resident of Laconia and having lived here for more than half of my 42 years on this planet, it is a nice City, great people, great Summer and Winter activities. And the Fall Folliage cannot be topped.
This from ESPN:
http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=7050677
Being a resident of Laconia and having lived here for more than half of my 42 years on this planet, it is a nice City, great people, great Summer and Winter activities. And the Fall Folliage cannot be topped.
This from ESPN:
http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=7050677
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