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There's been more drama in and around the Red Sox clubhouse in the last 4 weeks than there had been on the field in months. We're here to tell you what's been said, what's classified as fact, and what is, as of now, simply unsubstantiated rumor.
First things first. Let's be clear that NO ONE would even have a conversation about the clubhouse culture if game 162 had gone a different way, or even if Tampa had not come from a 7-run deficit at precisely the moment of our 20th loss in nearly as many games. A historic collapse that still managed to squeak us into the playoffs would have turned a blind eye to all of the visceral criticism that now circulates the entire organization. But only because our season ended in such a particularly disastrous way, the collective psyche turned, and went for the jugular.
1) It was reported that "certain pitchers" had been drinking beer in the clubhouse before the game was over. This was later substantiated by the Red Sox, and Jon Lester admitted that he and Beckett and Lackey had occasionally had a "rally beer" during big games in which they weren't pitching. He apologized.
2) It was also reported that a certain brand of fast food fried chicken was brought into the clubhouse for aforementioned pitchers and players to enjoy. Given the fact that the fitness level of many players was already being called into question as part of the reason for poor on-field performance, this did not help. There will be fried chicken jokes about the 2011 season in perpetuity. Be prepared.
3) Terry Francona resigns as Manager. He has a classy press conference, he makes it sound like an amicable departure, the ownership speaks about him respectfully, and the term "needing a new voice for the club" is the mantra for a clean departure.
4) Just days later, reports come out that Terry Francona was not a capable leader during the season because he was distracted by personal problems in his marriage, and it was inferred that he might have a pain killer dependency. WHOA. Why would someone say such a thing? Who is the un-named source? The sports media has a field day with speculation about it being a disgruntled young player who didn't see enough field time, or the ownership wanting to distance themselves from blame.
Curiouser and curiouser...
5) Channel 7 reports that a "team source" has told them that not only was there drinking in the clubhouse, but (cue the doomsday music)... they were drinking in the DUGOUT. Another print reporter confirms he has a source that says the same (supposedly NOT the same source). Boom- from all the way on a hunting trip in Texas, Beckett is on the phone with a firm denial. Francona too, and Lester. Everyone says this is a flat out lie, that NO one would ever ever ever drink in the dugout.
6) Beloved Captain Jason Varitek throws Terry Francona under the bus in an interview. When asked if he and the team respected Francona, he answers that he respects his elders. Ouch. Would they "Get into a foxhole with him? Well..." Red Sox Nation wonders why he has a C on his shirt. What the hell does a baseball captain do anyway?
7) Theo Epstein begins negotiation with the Chicago Cubs for a position as the President of Baseball Operations. Ben Cherington (Theo's asst. GM) is in line to take his position here in Boston. Pitching Coach Curt Young heads back to Oakland. Other assistant coaches under Francona are let go, but not Bench Coach DeMarlo Hale. The Red Sox idiotic marketing team start auctioning off game used memorabilia. Like we all just want a piece of collapse history.
8) Theo can't seem to get the deal done, and just keeps hanging around. The negotiations continue. The local sports media make a career out of guessing who will be the next Manager. A big personality like Bobby Valentine might whip those lazy, overpaid babies into shape. But wait, any chance we could get John Farrell back from Toronto?
9) Theo announces his departure. Attention starts to shift. Time to look ahead. We'll deal with that jackass Lackey tomorrow. Theo writes a heartfelt letter to the fans in the Boston Globe, and his well-run charity foundation will remain in tact and continue to serve its mission. The Blue Jays change their policy to say that managers can not leave their contract for a lateral move. Looks like no Farrell.
10) Ben Cherington holds a press conference and officially takes the helm. He talks SO much like Theo (not the rhetoric, his actual VOICE), it's absolutely creepy. Radio listeners thought it was a hoax. He encourages us to look forward, he's smart and talks baseball with terminology and confidence as only a scouting and player development guy can. And he solves his first looming problem of the 2012 season- what to do with John Lackey? Well, Ben announces that Lackey IS having Tommy John surgery, and while sticking up for him a little bit, managed to reassure sour fans that we won't have to look at him again next year .
What comes next? Who knows. We'll be dissecting every word of Cherington's press conference like Wall Street watches Ben Bernanke, looking for some hint of what he has in store for us, what strategy he's plotting for our future. And let me just say, it better be good, or we're all going to drink some beer, pop some pills, and eat fried chicken for another 86 years .
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