A few observations after the week’s series of press conferences from and about the goings on at Yawkey Way following the Red Sox’s September implosion:
1) Listening between the lines, and regardless of whose idea it was, it is clear that the departure of manager Terry Francona from the scene was a forgone conclusion, regardless of how the team performed in September. What’s interesting is that both Francona and management – in the persons of Theo Epstein, John Henry, Larry Lucchino, and Tom Werner – seem hurt by the move, and possess the mindset that the “other side” didn’t really provide a chance for a return to occur.
2) Reports of beer-drinking in the clubhouse appear to be overblown. Not that it didn’t happen, or was a good idea, but no one has said the incident(s) had a direct effect on the season’s outcome. What may be more telling is Henry’s admission on WEEI this morning that he was unaware of the participation of Sox pitchers Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield, Clay Buchholz, and John Lackey – in uniform – in the music video “I Like Beer.” How’d you like to be the marketing executive who approved that use of the teams’ logo and uniform?
3) Everyone – and I mean everyone – is super-impressed by Francona’s class. At no time has he called anyone out for hinted-at indiscretions on the field and off, and he has steadfastly taken responsibility for the team’s collapse for what boils down to his inability to change attitudes in the clubhouse. Too bad there weren’t more like him on the roster.
4) Many of the players on this squad need to take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask themselves if they are truly committed to playing championship-caliber baseball, or simply want to play baseball. Forget the money – no one in that clubhouse is hard up for cash – but what about pride? Even my Connie Mack city champs know enough to say “my bad” when they miss signs or cut-off men or other fundamental necessities. Their issues relate mostly to inexperience and teenager-hood, but what can the Sox really say about it?
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