The Boston Red Sox Principal Owner, John Henry, barged into 98.5 The Sports Hub on Friday afternoon. He showed up in the radio station’s lobby and asked to speak on the Felger & Massarotti Show. To Mike Felger’s surprise, he and Tony Massarotti were told John Henry wanted to respond their characterization of the team and its management. Less than a minute later the unscripted interview began. Felger and Massarotti asked quality hard-hitting questions and Henry answered to the best of his ability. A few times they called each other liars and during a few moments they shared a laugh. It was just over an hour of great radio.
The opening and main topic was Henry’s involvement in the recent Boston Globe article and its detailing of former manager Terry Francona’s personal life. They went on to discuss the status of Theo Epstein and Larry Lucchino and some players. Other topics were the ownership of the Liverpool soccer team and all that surrounded the 2011 Red Sox September collapse.
Henry stated his reason for coming in as his desire to challenge the duo’s misleading of the public. The Red Sox owner had been listening and asked someone to drive him to the station.
Felger directly asked him about the Boston Globe story. Henry’s response was that it “did not come from John, Tom or Larry.” He explained that the author cited a team source and said “if it is someone from the team then I am very upset about it.”
Henry called the attacks on Francona’s marriage to be “ridiculous”. Henry remarked, “it’s reprehensible that it was written about.” Henry sound equally upset about Felger and Massarotti making assumptions that the information contained in the article came from him. He accused their show of being more entertainment than journalism.
Henry claimed in 2010 he was “more concerned that they didn’t make the playoffs than with the TV ratings.” He defended his purchase of the Liverpool soccer team and denied any idea that the Red Sox made big moves last offseason as PR stunt to show fans their dedication. He claimed to personally have opposed the Crawford signing, but said “I don’t meddle” with baseball operations.
Felger asked why they made Francona do the dance with them, claiming Francona was rightfully fired. “We didn’t fire him.” Henry forcefully responded. “You don’t have any inside information therefore its difficult for you to know what went on.”
As of Sep. 13, Henry believed things were good in the clubhouse. He never knew about drinking and fast food. Henry blamed the pitching, stating that “in September our offense was fine.” Henry cited the bad ERA stats of the seven starters and the high offensive numbers, forgetting that the offense statistics are overblown by a few games with very high double-digit runs.
Henry continued to say the pitching was the problem, but later in the conversation mentioned injuries. He said they are just in the early stage of an investigation as to why they can’t make it through a 162 games and what took place in the clubhouse and if there was an issue with team leadership. He told Felger and Massarotti, “we are going to fix some things, but I am not going to air it out in public”.
Regarding the current situation with Epstein, Henry said “I really can’t go into... there is probation against announcements during the post season.” He listed a few people and organizations that he felt it would be unfair to if he discussed the situation. In that list he included the Chicago Cubs “who I don’t really care that much about” he quipped. Ending the talk on their current GM, Henry said “I would love to have Theo back... but you don’t always get what you want.” Massarotti asked if team President Larry Lucchino, who’s contract is up this year, could be leaving as well. Henry expressed his expectations that Lucchino will continue running the Red Sox for the foreseeable future.
When the question on the team’s difficulty with signing good free agents was asked, Henry shrugged off the accusation. He noted that free agents are usually older players and are tough to predict in a young man’s game. Henry stated that their proprietary software, known as Carmine, is used in both free agent signings and draft analysis, while stressing that it is helpful tool.
The conversation got light when they all laughed about 98.5's ratings compared to WEEI the team’s flagship radio station and how the New England Patriots also owned soccer team. Henry also joked about wishing he could have pitched in for a few innings.
“I am ultimately responsible for everything that goes on with the Red Sox”. Henry declared that he has to make sure nothing like the collapse happens again. Answering the final questions, he let them know that Linda Henry would never take over the team and that he will own the team as long as he can.
The interview wrapped up with Henry’s message to fans. He said “Hang in there”, “We are going to have a great team next year” and his final words were “I love this team and I am going to do everything I can to get it back on track”.
I don’t believe everything Henry said to be the complete truth, but I was happy to hear him speak. Just going on air showed that he cares about the team. He took responsibility for what happened and that is a big step in moving forward for the true Red Sox fans, who will stick through good and bad.
For more on the interview with audio click here John Henry on Fleger & Massarotti
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