To be honest, Ken, my husband and I were "happy" that the Rays put the Sox out of their misery. I couldn't take anymore. I agree, there's no way the Sox would win vs. the Rays - at the Trop - in a one-game playoff.
Earthquake in Red Sox Nation this morning... WEEI radio reporting that Red Sox Manager Terry Francona will be sent packing.
**Francona's firing is NOT confirmed yet as I type this.**
Francona, his bench coach DeMarlo Hale, and Red Sox owners John Henry and Tom Werner all left Fenway Park in separate cars just before noon today. They wouldn't talk to the media.
My knee-jerk reaction: This is awfully severe, perhaps GM Theo Epstein should be the one to step down. However... there are multiple reports that there was severe dysfunction in the 2011 Red Sox club house... Francona's job is to keep that under control, and it sounds like he didn't do that. Local news reports as of 1:00pm ET stating it's not official yet that Francona is out.
More info here:
1. I never believe much in the greatness/importance of managers..you have to have the players to win..howver, in a 162 game season...with a pretty decent team...there should be 3-5 games a season which a good, smart manager should be able to "steal" for his team...substitutions..pinch hitters, lining up the bullpen..and there were mnay games this year where Francona failed to do that.
2.Carl Crawford, who is a GREAT player, and blessed with exceptional speed ( which can't be coached) had a season long slump. All players have slumps..even the superstars..and one of the most important jobs of a manager is to get the player turned around. Francona had an ENTIRE season to get Crawford straightened out..and he totally failed..
A divided clubhouse could have contributed greatly to the September implosion.
Friday 5:42 in Boston. Its now official. Francona is gone. Sad.
Thanks for the ping and the links.
I digested The Globe articles today and now will read the others.
Most disheartening.
FYI-—I saw “Moneyball” last week. Very good movie.
I geuss this is the difference between Atlanta on one hand and Chicago/Philly/Boston/NYC. Bobby Cox can win 15 division title and only win one world series and he keeps his job. I dont think that would have heppened if he had managed in any of those other cities. I dont know if there is some inner ego battles in the Red Sox management which might be causing Francona and company to be headed out. I dont think it will be long before Francona gets a job. Say maybe Chicago or dare I say Cincinnati.