But there were some things he could have done to help this team out a little more than he did, especially if these reports of drinking in the clubhouse are true.
But Tito is who he is. He is laid back and likes to let the players form what kind of team they want to have. But at some point it is his job to step in and do something when things go wrong, and it was obvious things went wrong in September. It also seems somewhat clear to me that Tito decided to do nothing about it.
Francona has won two titles here, and was willing to take chances other managers probably wouldn't have. He was definitely the right voice for the '04 and '07 teams. On the other hand, if the team had gone 20-7 and jumped into the playoffs in the last month, we'd be hailing him for keeping the team together, right? Everything fell apart here, and some of that has to fall on the field manager.
Get rid of Curt Young and Tim Bogar though. Both useless. Bogar continuing to send Scutaro Wednesday night after Scutaro had stopped between 2nd and 3rd, with less than two outs was really the perfect play to define his third base coaching abilities.
Bogar, at least, will be gone. Curt Young was an organizational hire, not a Francona guy, but I can't see him getting kept after almost everyone regressed and every pitcher except Aceves bombed down the stretch. If they're looking within the organization for the open spot, Demarlo Hale might get an interview.
Terry Francona was the manager the 2004 Red Sox needed but not the manager the 2011 Red Sox deserved. He stands above this fray in my mind. It's clear that he was happy to go because Theo and all have saddled this team with a lot of dissident personalities.
Now, you might say that the best manager in the world gets dissident personalities to come together into a team...so Tito might not be the best manager in the world. But at some point, multi-million dollar atheletes need to stop acting like babies (Lackey) and emo kids (Crawford). I hope wherever Tito lands next, he gets the team he deserves. I also hope whoever coaches the Red Sox next is the coach we need.
My thought is that the Sox are still gunning for Maddon and they aren't going to say or do anything until they know what happens to Tampa in the post-season.
Major League Baseball is made up of 30 teams. Of those THIRTY teams eight of them get to go to the post season. Only EIGHT out of THIRTY teams.
The Red Sox are one of 22 teams who did not make the playoffs. We have to stop acting like we "deserved" to make the playoffs. I think that Terry was burnt out and needed to get out of Boston. He has had less and less input into who was put on the team.
I don't think this year was his fault at all. It was injuries, bad signings, and some bad luck.
Firing an incredibly successful manager for not being one of those eight teams is...well, it's a Yankee move. I lost some respect for the ownership today.
Still, he sounded a little...relieved, or something, to be out of there. Makes me wonder what was going on behind the scenes this year.
Tito was the greatest manager in Red Sox history and I am sad to see him go because a group of overpaid players quit towards the end of the season. I wish him nothing but the best in his future.
As for the future, I like Demarlo Hale, but I don't think they would give the job to one of Francona's staff. There are plenty of other names swirling around as the potential manager for the Boston Red Sox like Bobby Valentine and even Joe Torre. These old rehash candidates are exactly who I don’t want as the Red Sox managers. These are guys who might just stumble in for one last chance at managerial glory but always know that if it does not work out they can go back to their other jobs. I want new managerial blood; I looked at a bunch of potential candidates and there is one guy who I think stands above the rest, Joey Cora. To be the manager of the Sox, someone needs to have a high baseball IQ and a high general IQ. By all accounts Cora is a smart guy (he went to Vanderbelt) and during his playing career where he played at second, third, and short stop he always one of those utility guys who could always be counted on to make the smart play. Since playing he has managerial experience in the Mets minor league system, a 3B Coach, and as a bench coach for the White Sox. In addition he comes from a baseball family (brother Alex was also a big leaguer and I even briefly met his cousin who is involved in baseball on a bus ride home after we beat Anaheim in the playoffs in 08) The fact that he played recently, is bilingual, and was well respected I think would help him relate to players and have their respect. For these reasons and my general disgust at the idea of Bobby Valentine being our manager, I am officially starting the Joey Cora for Sox manager campaign.
I always think of Joey Cora as the guy who came out of the Mariners dugout to bear-hug Wally the Green Monster during the mascot's underwhelming 1997 debut at Fenway
Comments
I'll be kind of pissed.
But there were some things he could have done to help this team out a little more than he did, especially if these reports of drinking in the clubhouse are true.
But Tito is who he is. He is laid back and likes to let the players form what kind of team they want to have. But at some point it is his job to step in and do something when things go wrong, and it was obvious things went wrong in September. It also seems somewhat clear to me that Tito decided to do nothing about it.
Could go either way
Francona has won two titles here, and was willing to take chances other managers probably wouldn't have. He was definitely the right voice for the '04 and '07 teams. On the other hand, if the team had gone 20-7 and jumped into the playoffs in the last month, we'd be hailing him for keeping the team together, right? Everything fell apart here, and some of that has to fall on the field manager.
Get rid of Curt Young and Tim Bogar though. Both useless. Bogar continuing to send Scutaro Wednesday night after Scutaro had stopped between 2nd and 3rd, with less than two outs was really the perfect play to define his third base coaching abilities.
What else
One would think that when Francona goes most of the coaching staff goes (maybe Gary Tuck stays). Now SI is saying Francona is out for sure.
Agreed
Bogar, at least, will be gone. Curt Young was an organizational hire, not a Francona guy, but I can't see him getting kept after almost everyone regressed and every pitcher except Aceves bombed down the stretch. If they're looking within the organization for the open spot, Demarlo Hale might get an interview.
Posted my thoughts on Soxaholix
Here:
dewey defeats truman
not gone yet.
+1
n/t
Epstein: "No immediate plans" to say anything about Francona
So is he in or is he out now?
Joe Maddon?
My thought is that the Sox are still gunning for Maddon and they aren't going to say or do anything until they know what happens to Tampa in the post-season.
How about Epstein defends his
How about Epstein defends his crappy ass contracts he's given to pretty much every single free agent he's signed to this team?
We have to remember
Major League Baseball is made up of 30 teams. Of those THIRTY teams eight of them get to go to the post season. Only EIGHT out of THIRTY teams.
The Red Sox are one of 22 teams who did not make the playoffs. We have to stop acting like we "deserved" to make the playoffs. I think that Terry was burnt out and needed to get out of Boston. He has had less and less input into who was put on the team.
I agree. I don't think this
I agree.
I don't think this year was his fault at all. It was injuries, bad signings, and some bad luck.
Firing an incredibly successful manager for not being one of those eight teams is...well, it's a Yankee move. I lost some respect for the ownership today.
Still, he sounded a little...relieved, or something, to be out of there. Makes me wonder what was going on behind the scenes this year.
I Want Joey Cora as the Next Manager
Tito was the greatest manager in Red Sox history and I am sad to see him go because a group of overpaid players quit towards the end of the season. I wish him nothing but the best in his future.
As for the future, I like Demarlo Hale, but I don't think they would give the job to one of Francona's staff. There are plenty of other names swirling around as the potential manager for the Boston Red Sox like Bobby Valentine and even Joe Torre. These old rehash candidates are exactly who I don’t want as the Red Sox managers. These are guys who might just stumble in for one last chance at managerial glory but always know that if it does not work out they can go back to their other jobs. I want new managerial blood; I looked at a bunch of potential candidates and there is one guy who I think stands above the rest, Joey Cora. To be the manager of the Sox, someone needs to have a high baseball IQ and a high general IQ. By all accounts Cora is a smart guy (he went to Vanderbelt) and during his playing career where he played at second, third, and short stop he always one of those utility guys who could always be counted on to make the smart play. Since playing he has managerial experience in the Mets minor league system, a 3B Coach, and as a bench coach for the White Sox. In addition he comes from a baseball family (brother Alex was also a big leaguer and I even briefly met his cousin who is involved in baseball on a bus ride home after we beat Anaheim in the playoffs in 08) The fact that he played recently, is bilingual, and was well respected I think would help him relate to players and have their respect. For these reasons and my general disgust at the idea of Bobby Valentine being our manager, I am officially starting the Joey Cora for Sox manager campaign.
I always think of Joey Cora
I always think of Joey Cora as the guy who came out of the Mariners dugout to bear-hug Wally the Green Monster during the mascot's underwhelming 1997 debut at Fenway
new sox manager
tony pena.