A little more than a week after I posted a blog about the Red Sox, things heated more when there was an alleged meeting between select players and Sox management in regards to Bobby V's managing career. What sparked it off was a text sent to Sox owners Larry Lucchino and John Henry from players dissatisfied with Valentine. Allegedly the text came from 1st baseman Adrian Gonzalez (one of the few players on the roster who hasnt missed games due to injury and has been playing well). The owners then called for a meeting with some of the players to hear their complaints while in NYC on or about July 26th. Among the most vocal in the meeting were Gonzales and Dustin Pedroia who stated they no longer wanted to play for Valentine. Management then gave the dreaded "vote of confidence" to Bobby V stating that he's the manager for the rest of the season.
Given, later reports stated that the meeting wasn't as ugly as originally reported but it did happen. Granted the Red Sox have been hammered with injuries but their arch rival the Yankees have been hit hard as well (Pettitte, Rivera and now Sabathia to name few) but the Yanks continue to keep winning while the Red Sox hover just below mediocrity. Fact is, Bobby V (like him or not, most Sox fans seem to dislike him) ca not be blamed for guys performing below expectations. Injuries are a part of the game but poor performance is not a manager's fault. Perhaps if some guys had played/pitched better in September of last year then maybe Terry Francona would still be around.
Francona was a hands off manager who let the players play and as longs as they showed up to work on time and performed, he was cool with that. The September collapse coupled with "fried chicken-gate" pretty much led to Francona being let go (or not resigned). Now the players don't like Bobby V. I say too bad. These guys underperformed for Francona and now they don't like the guy who's more abrasive. The players brought this upon themselves in my opinion and they should have to live with the consequences (though that's a pipe dream in sports as that stuff pretty much never happens). What gets me is that you don't see this kind of behavior from the Yankees. Jeter doesn't complain, he just produces (the exception for the Yanks is A-Rod but no one seems to like him all that much so I don't count him). This is getting interesting to say the least. If the Sox miss the playoffs this year (which ain't gonna happen barring nothing short of a miracle) it will be the third year in a row. Then changes are going to come in the off season.
We shall see what happens as the drama continues.
Given, later reports stated that the meeting wasn't as ugly as originally reported but it did happen. Granted the Red Sox have been hammered with injuries but their arch rival the Yankees have been hit hard as well (Pettitte, Rivera and now Sabathia to name few) but the Yanks continue to keep winning while the Red Sox hover just below mediocrity. Fact is, Bobby V (like him or not, most Sox fans seem to dislike him) ca not be blamed for guys performing below expectations. Injuries are a part of the game but poor performance is not a manager's fault. Perhaps if some guys had played/pitched better in September of last year then maybe Terry Francona would still be around.
Francona was a hands off manager who let the players play and as longs as they showed up to work on time and performed, he was cool with that. The September collapse coupled with "fried chicken-gate" pretty much led to Francona being let go (or not resigned). Now the players don't like Bobby V. I say too bad. These guys underperformed for Francona and now they don't like the guy who's more abrasive. The players brought this upon themselves in my opinion and they should have to live with the consequences (though that's a pipe dream in sports as that stuff pretty much never happens). What gets me is that you don't see this kind of behavior from the Yankees. Jeter doesn't complain, he just produces (the exception for the Yanks is A-Rod but no one seems to like him all that much so I don't count him). This is getting interesting to say the least. If the Sox miss the playoffs this year (which ain't gonna happen barring nothing short of a miracle) it will be the third year in a row. Then changes are going to come in the off season.
We shall see what happens as the drama continues.
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