Dear John:
I’ve held off writing this for several weeks, but I can wait no longer.
I’m not quite sure what the final straw was in the past few days, but I think it may have something to do with some player I’ve never heard of (Darin Mastrioianni) from the Minnesota Twins help to take down your listless Sox team under the 500 mark yet again.
Frankly, John Henry, your team…my team… the Boston Red Sox team… is spiraling out of control. I suggest you do something about it before Tom Brady throws that first touchdown pass to Gronk because New England sports fans are ready to forget Fenway and turn to football any second now.
Simply put, there is something rotten in Denmark!
John, I am worn out from all the stories of snitches, lack of communication, hitters blaming pitchers, pitchers blaming hitters, the manager talking to the assistant pitching coach but not the head pitching coach, players going behind the manager’s back to tell the front office what the manager said to them after a bad inning, the trainer and the skipper argue about the Crawford 4- game plan. On and on and on…
Make it stop John Henry!
Here is the first thing you need to do. Make a decision on Bobby Valentine. Either he is your manager, or not. Sign him to an extension or dump him — right now! The players need to get a signal from you. Either Bobby V is your guy, or not. GM Ben Cherrington needs to know. Bobby V is the guy, or not. Heck, I need to know. Bobby V is your guy, or not.
Can you live with all his quirks? The sometimes whacky things he says? His communication skills? Then give him an extension.
Do you think that maybe too many things have changed in baseball since he was last in a MLB dugout 10 years ago? Is his style just not a right fit for Boston? Then get rid of him, now and see what happens with an interim guy.
John, you may not remember 1988, but I do. A stumbling Red Sox team fired skipper Johnny McNamara. In comes Walpole Joe Morgan. 12 straight wins and it’s “Morgan Magic” baby! The Sox made the playoffs.
“Bogar Bewitchment” “Magadan Magnetism” “Trickery By Tuck”.
It has been said many times. The toughest job in New England is manager of the Boston Red Sox. Just ask Tito. It’s an even tougher job if the guy is left dangling in the wind. Bobby V is dangling in the wind.
It’s time, John. Make a decision. Now.
It just might save the season.
Yours Truly,
Dale Duff, Longtime Sox Fan
ITEMS FROM THE DUFFEL BAG:
– I know a lot of coaches don’t like it. Heck, even those of us in sports media aren’t crazy about it because it makes for “slow news days.” But, the two week hands off rule for high schoolers seems like a pretty good thing to me.
– If (and when) the MPA gets back that 2010 Cheverus HS basketball state championship basketball trophy because Indiana Faithful was deemed an ineligible player, I’m guessing that title will remain unclaimed. If you were Edward Little HS (East champ/2010), would you take it if it were your school?
– Best Red Sox quote lately, Cody Ross: “there’s a difference between being a real talented group and a winning group.”
– Wonder what Jonathan Papelbon really thinks about what his new team, the Phils did at the trade deadline, waving the white flag with their trades. Be careful what you wish for Paps!
– As the 2012 Senior League World Series begins later this week at Mansfield Stadium in Bangor, here is a reminder of some recent talent that played in the Queen City in August…
JURICKSON PROFAR (Curacao/2008): At 19 years old, the Texas Rangers shortstop is the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball. Profar is playing for Double-A Frisco(.284/13/55). The Rangers would not give him up for Zach Greinke at last week’s trade deadline.
XANDER BOGAERTS (Auruba/2009): The 19 year old is the Red Sox No. 1 prospect now, ahead of pitcher Matt Barnes. Bogaerts is playing at High-A Salem (.294/15/62). Wonder if we’ll see him at Hadlock Field with the Sea Dogs later this month?
DOMINIC BROWN (Dade City,Florida/2004): The Phillies No. 1 prospect gets called up to play everyday now that the Phils traded outfielders Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence at the deadline.
– While Bob Costas and Al Michaels get most of the face time and do a great job, I give gold medals to two other NBC sportscasters for their work at the olympics. Dan Hicks and Tom Hammond. Hicks is terrific as the PBP guy for swimming. Hammonds is fantastic with track and field PBP.
Who do you like best?
– And speaking of the Olympics, I read a report that because of worker interest in the Games, companies will lose 615 million dollars in productivity. I’d like to give you more info…but, hey, back to Horse Guards Parade and more beach volleyball coverage!!! Later!!!
