2011 Boston Red Sox

[SoxFan01605]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

My guess is that Tito wants out and they talked him into thinking about it for a few days. If ownership wanted him gone it would have been done today.

Perhaps so. It's also possible that they want to seem like they deliberated and didn't jump to a typical conclusion, even though some reports are they did (as much as several weeks ago, even).

It's certainly not to the extent of Torre in NY a few years back by any means (the fan base is fairly split on Francona, it seems) but I think he's popular enough for his unmatched success in Boston that they would also want to be careful in how they part ways.

I think both sides get that though and I don't think a lack of formal word is really indicative of much of anything other than trying to keep things professional.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

Statements from the Boston Red Sox regarding Terry Francona

Statement from John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino on behalf of the Boston Red Sox:

"We met with Terry Francona, Theo Epstein and Ben Cherington Friday morning to discuss the 2011 season, ways to improve the club in the future, and Tito's status. During the meeting, Tito, Theo and Ben agreed that the Red Sox would benefit from an improved clubhouse culture and higher standards in several areas. Tito said that after eight years here he was frustrated by his difficulty making an impact with the players, that a different voice was needed, and that it was time for him to move on. After taking time to reflect on Tito's sentiments, we agreed that it was best for the Red Sox not to exercise the option years on his contract.

We have enormous respect, admiration and appreciation for Tito and the job that he did for eight years, including two World Series Championship seasons and five playoff appearances. His poise during the 2004 post-season was a key factor in the greatest comeback in baseball history, and his place in Red Sox history will never be forgotten. We wish him only the best going forward."

Statment from Theo Epstein:
"Tito and I didn't know each other when he was hired eight years ago, but over time we developed not only a great working relationship but also a personal friendship that will always be important to both of us. He proved to be an unflappable leader for our major league club, displaying consistency, calmness, hard work, thoughtfulness, a sense of humor, and faith in the players even at the most difficult of times. Without Tito's commitment over eight years, we would not be the organization we are today. Nobody at the Red Sox blames Tito for what happened at the end of this season; we own that as an organization. This year was certainly a difficult and draining one for him and for us. Ultimately, he decided that there were certain things that needed to be done that he couldn't do after eight years here, and that this team would benefit from hearing a new voice. While this may be true, his next team will benefit more than it knows from hearing Tito's voice. I will miss seeing Tito every day in the manager's office, and I wish him and his family nothing but the best in their next chapter."

Statment from Terry Francona:
"We met this morning to look back on the 2011 season and to consider the future of the Boston Red Sox, including my involvement with the club. I passed along my frustrations at my inability to effectively reach the players. After many conversations and much consideration, I ultimately felt that, out of respect to this team, it was time for me to move on. I've always maintained that it is not only the right, but the obligation, of ownership to have the right person doing this job. I told them that out of my enormous respect for this organization and the people in it, they may need to find a different voice to lead the team.

In my eight seasons as manager of the Boston Red Sox, I have developed a tremendous appreciation for Red Sox Nation. This is a special place with some of the most knowledgeable and passionate fans in all of baseball. They packed Fenway Park for every game and because of them, I had a special sense of pride coming to work every day. I want to thank John, Tom, Larry and Theo for giving me the opportunity to manage this team through some of the most successful years in this franchise's history. I wish the entire organization and all of Red Sox Nation nothing but the very best."

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release****p?ymd=20110930&content_id=25403104&vkey=pr_bos&fext=****p&c_id=bos&partnerId=aw-6666146739808109891-1022

[Reaman]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

This month couldn't get any sadder.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

This month couldn't get any sadder.

[Stu]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

My guess is that Tito wants out and they talked him into thinking about it for a few days. If ownership wanted him gone it would have been done today.

I guess it was more that they wanted to buy some time to write the press releases.

[SoxFan01605]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

This month couldn't get any sadder.

Seriously...like repeated punches in the gut. Over and over and over...

I have TREMENDOUS respect for the job Tito did for our team and all the drama he went through to get us our first title in 86 years. He was a big part of what once seemed impossible becoming a dream come true and the team is right in that he will always be remembered for that.

I will be rooting for him anywhere he goes.

[areobee401]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

Who would you guys like to replace Tito?

My short list...

1. Bobby Valentine
2. Cito Gaston
3. Ryan Sandberg
4. DeMarlo Hale

[Reaman]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

Who would you guys like to replace Tito?

My short list...

1. Bobby Valentine
2. Cito Gaston
3. Ryan Sandberg
4. DeMarlo Hale

It should have been Ozzie Guillen.

[areobee401]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

It should have been Ozzie Guillen.

I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree. That would never workout in Boston.

[EnigmaNemesis]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

So sad to see Tito go. He truly was a good man, and sadly player egos get in the way. Bunch of cry babies. These are grown men, and they take their bloated contracts, and act like spoiled brats.

I will always remember him for what he has done, and ALWAYS have respect for the man.

Good luck Tito!

[CWood2]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

Terry is partly culpable, but he didn't deserve to be the fall guy for this historic collapse. And compared to Theo - ownership shouldn't be half as upset as they are with boy wonder, who's wasted HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of dollars on some of the worst free agents signings in the history of the game.

Yes, Alfonso Soriano and Barry Zito remain the two worst contracts out there, but who in their right mind thought John Lackey was an ace with fringe stuff?? Julio Lugo. JD Drew (who wasn't as bad as people claim due to his OPS and defense). Matt Clement. Matsuzake. Edgar Renteria. Oh, and Carl Crawford. Even if you couldn't predict that he would suck this year, his defense in left (which was below average) had a minimal impact at Fenway, he has no natural position in the lineup, no discipline (we take pitches, here Carl) and represents yet another lefty in a lefty-strong lineup in a Division with CC, Price, Romero, and now Matt Moore.

The impacts, despite wasted money ... how do you sign Jacoby Ellsbury now next year with Carl on the books? What about if we pursued Halladay, Lee, or even CJ Wilson with Lackey's money? How do you push a top pitching prospect into the staff when you're still paying for Lackey and Dice-K? Even a fringe minor leaguer could fill our 4 and 5 spots more valiently than what we've gotten.

I love Theo as an amateur talent evaluator. Pedroia, Youk, Pap, Lester, Clay, Bard and others make up the nucleus of this team, and he is a brilliant drafter. A-Gone is still a good trade in my book, and Big Papi is one of the biggest pickups in franchise history. But the rest of the team is made up of bad free agent signings, and I blame Theo and a marketing-dominant front office that wants ratings for NESN. Their contracts are horrible, their ability to gel and create chemistry with teammates is questionable, and their gritty determination to win is negligible compared to the true leaders of this clubhouse.

You really can't do much to change this team given the money we've got committed. No one wants John Lackey, NO ONE. Carl might be tradeable to a team like the Angels if they hadn't taken on Wells, and the fact that we overpaid so much makes it a total stretch. And his replacement, Desmond Jennings, had a better season in 67 fewer games. Try and tell me how the Rays don't absolutely belong in the playoffs thanks to Friedman and Madden - they do, and I'm rooting for them.

So my point my much maligned friends of Red Sox nation ... losing Terry doesn't change anything. Except create more chaos with a team that has no direction in an expensive, unfathomable tail spin.

[areobee401]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

Dustin Pedroia - "I love him. He's given me every opportunity in the world and given me the respect to play the game with a freedom, and that's what he allows us players to do,"

"Geez, man, he's done everything for me and everything for my family, and he's done everything for me in the five years I've been in the big leagues. My heart's broken for him, and I wish he was back and I wish I could have played my whole career for him. It's going to be hard. I'm sure he'll come back a better manager and a better person for it. Us, as an organization, we're going to move forward together."

Glad Tito took a nice little shot at ownership last night.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

Reading Dan Shoughnassy (sp?) wrote in his column that he hopes the Red Sox get Eric Wedge out of Seattle...I would certainly hope Boston can do better than that.

[adice15]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

If only John Farrell hadn't gotten the Blue Jays job, he'd for sure be the new manager.

[redsoxfan25]

Re: 2011 Boston Red Sox

If only John Farrell hadn't gotten the Blue Jays job, he'd for sure be the new manager.

I miss John Farrell

And you know what else is sad to think about? The Red Sox record when leading after the 8th inning was 77-0. A real shame that the first loss came during the most important game of the season.