Growing tired of all the teeth-gnashing surrounding the Red Sox these days? Me, too ... a sentiment compounded by the number of things being hashed and rehashed that I just can't get behind. For instance:
• I disagree that Messrs. Beckett, Lackey, and Lester’s “clubhouse-as-man-cave” behavior had anything much to do with the way the Red Sox’s season ended. In-game beers ’n’ chicken may be representative of an excessive attitude of laissez faire, but it would have been deemed “colorful” if they had won. So why is it such an indictment now that they didn’t?
• I disagree with the popular sentiment that the Sox need to ship all three pitchers out of town. It may be that Lackey has so worn out his welcome in Boston that he should never take the mound here again in the same way Ed Whitson once couldn’t for the Yankees. But as Napoleon Dynamite would say, Beckett and Lester both have skills, and someone has to start for the club in 2012.
• I disagree with those who believe ownership’s interests in English football and auto racing are distracting from the needs of the baseball team. I’ve written for years that the purchase of the Sox was more about NESN and Fenway-area real estate than MLB, and I do believe that principal owner John Henry is letting his business executives run their respective businesses – because that’s what successful businesspeople do! And let’s be honest, too: would we be any happier if he played the role of George Steinbrenner and insinuated himself into day-to-day operations? Can’t have it both ways, folks.
• I disagree with the Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy when he wrote this week that “loyal folks who empty their pockets year after year in support of this team are never going to understand or get over this.” Yes they will; they always get over stuff. Or at least, enough other loyal folks will take their place to make up for those who don’t.
What say you?
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