2012 Cherington Campaign: Puzzle Piece #3

Andrew Bailey is coming to the Red Sox, y'all! What are you doing right now? Have you high-fived someone about this yet? This is huge news for us, Red Sox nation. First of all, Bailey is locked up for 3 seasons, so we have a young, proven back-of-the-rotation stud who can close games for us for years to come. Secondly, this means that Mark Melancon can set the table for Bailey and help close games when we need a spot closer. And lastly, this means Daniel Bard is assured a chance in the Red Sox rotation. He wont have to look over his shoulder anymore. We have a closer, Daniel. You go win games now as a starter. Bard joins Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz in the Sox rotation with fellow converted reliever Alfredo Aceves. These guys can count on a couple of gems at the end of the bench in Mark Melancon and now Andrew Bailey. I look at those names and I feel pretty good about our chances winning games next season.

Ben Cherington gets his man. We've been reading for weeks how the Red Sox were in line for this player or that. Gio Gonzalez was supposed to be ours, but I guess the Oakland A's liked what the Washington Nationals had to offer better. But Cherington got this Bailey trade done and that brings a smile back to our faces. It makes me wonder if the Sox are done dealing. The Boston media have been reporting that the Sox are still in on Matt Garza from the Cubs. I'll believe we get anything from Theo when I see it.

Andrew Bailey is a Red Sox! Are you kidding me? The first person I see at work tomorrow I am going to high-five. They'll ask me why and I'll reply with two words, Andrew...Bailey.

Great Expectations

What do we expect from the Red Sox closer? I was thinking about this today. Just save games, right? Seems simple enough. But under the surface, our needs are slightly more complicated. Let me explain.

We want our closer to be serious. Jonathan Papelbon got away with being a clown because for the most part, he got the job done. But Pap was Pap - we need someone who takes the job more serious than life itself. When our closer comes out of the bullpen, we don't want smiles -- we want Dirty Harry.

We want our closer to be durable. No rest for the injured here. If our closer can get out of bed, he will be closing, every night.

We want our closer to be Mariano Rivera-esque. You would be lying if you said you wouldn't have paid cash money to have had Rivera as the Red Sox closer. The guy is everything any organization would want to represent them in the 9th inning. The guy does a lot off the field too. Rivera is money. Our closer has to have that staying power (or at least fool us into thinking he can).

We want our closer to be electrifying. If you close for the Red Sox, you have to believe in the culture, understand the tradition and basically geek out like the rest of us that you are indeed the closer for the Boston Red Sox! Bring it, every night, brother.

Is this too much to ask? I say not.

Mark Melancon (pictured above), welcome to the party. Are you ready to be our save-yor? If you didn't know, we expect a lot.

2012 Cherington Campaign: Puzzle Piece #2

I don't care who made the final decision to bring on Bobby Valentine. It could be Lucchino and Henry or martians for all I care. I am just relieved that we finally got a manager worth his salt. And I was smiling all day when I saw that Valentine had gone to the Domincan Republic the day after he was announced to visit David Ortiz and play in his charity golf tourney. You gotta love this guy, right? Spitfire comes to mind.

So we have a manager. Cherington might like it, he might not -- like I said, I don't care. In all of this, I realize that the most important compoent in Red Sox nation is just that -- the nation itself. That's you. That's me. We DO matter because our love is what fuels the engine, puts butts in the seats and buys the jerseys and hats. "Someone" approved of Bobby Valentine and for that I am extremely grateful.

I read and watched everything I could about Valentine the day he was announced. The thing that stuck out the most to me was how much he wanted this. He was so nervous during the final interview process and you could feel the excitement just oozing off of him at the press conference. I love that. I don't want pretense and false assurances. I want honest, passionate leadership. People tell me all the time it's not good to wear your heart on your sleeve. Why not? What's wrong with showing people how you feel? We live in the status update age. People are dying to tell us that they just ate a rotten apple and feel like puking. Bobby IS the right guy, right now.

Welcome aboard, Mr. Valentine. You haven't managed a single game yet, but thanks....for caring.

What About Us?

I have been waiting and watching -- hoping that the Red Sox would hire a worthy manager, get the off-season in gear and satisfy all of us diehard Sox fans who are attempting to put 2011 in the rearview mirror. But every time I think I am over it, the Sox organization's inactivity just *Pacino voice* pulls me back in!

What in the world is going on? Today in the Boston Globe, Dan Shaughnessy speculates that GM Ben Cherington wants Gene Lamont (Tigers' third base coach) and CEO Larry Lucchino wants Bobby Valentine to be the next Sox manager -- and that rift in power is causing this painstaking delay in decision making. Honestly, let's just hire Valentine and be done with it. Lucchino should just make the decision. What is Cherington going to do about it? Quit? They can sort out their differences later. We all know Bobby V. is more than capable of managing the Sox. I think his baseball tenure and experience will instantly draw the respect of the players. And after weeks of interviewing no-names, did we really think Red Sox brass would let our team be run by an unknown?

I throw my hands in the air and pray this gets resolved soon. Not for them, but for us. Have they forgotten so soon they they let US down this past September? And so far, nothing has changed.

The First Pap Goes

The Philadelphia Phillies have made a 4-year, $50 million dollar offer to Bo-Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. And his agents are not contacting the Sox for a chance to match or counter (not that they would anyway). And so with that, the dancing closer is gone. I wish him well. I think in the end, he always cared about the Sox. I never felt like he stopped caring. I think his arm and his focus failed him at key moments over the past couple of seasons, but his heart always seemed to be in the right place.

I think Pap will thrive in the National League East, where competition pales in comparison to its American League counterpart. The Phillies always win tons of games, so he'll be fine.

I think we'll be fine too. I honestly do. Whether Bard gets promoted (which is highly likely now) or we sign a free agent, you know the Red Sox will move swiftly to fill the vacancy. Whomever it ends up being, I just hope he is not as polarizing as Papelbon was. When the Red Sox won in 2007, Papelbon was right there, pumping his fists, screaming and looking like an inmate from the local asylum. That was his charm, right? And he was consistent too. He saved 41, 38, 37 and 31 games in the years since '07. Can't complain. But those games he lost or blew, especially in 2010 when he went 5-7 with a 3.90 ERA, were maddening. It was those times, his antics made a guy feel like Pap wasn't focused. And let's not even discuss the end of this past season. His final inning as a Red Sox was not a shining moment for anyone.

I remember when Pap stared in from the mound in the 2007 post-season. The camera would zoom in on his eyes as they stared in for the sign. He was a ferocious animal -- a gamer you know was going to get the job done. Well, the ferocity has since waned. At any rate, I am happy for Papelbon that he got a good deal from the Phillies. Although it may not seem like it now, I feel like the Red Sox did too.

Hold On Tight

The Series is over but the Red Sox find themselves at the crux of almost every baseball discussion. As much as I hated to see Tito and Theo go, I love this. I love turning on ESPN Sportscenter or reading the latest sports news because I know the Red Sox will be there..waiting for me.

It's a great feeling to know that the Red Sox are going to do all they can to win the fans back. I've been tracking the recent managerial interviews. Pete Mackanin seems like a good fit. Dale Sveum I could care less about. His press conference drove me bonkers. I am excited to hear from Sandy Alomar, Jr. and Mike Maddox and whoever else Cherington and company bring in.

I really don't have a point tonight. I am just an ecstatic Red Sox fan right now.

Oh yeah, congratulations to Pedi, Gonzo and Jacoby for winning Gold Gloves and Gonzo, Jacoby and Big Papi for winning Silver Slugger awards. Amazing accomplishments for some amazing Red Sox.

Have a happy Red Sox weekend.

2012 Cherington Campaign: Puzzle Piece #1

The Red Sox retained the services of shortstop Marco Scutaro by picking up his option for the 2012 season. It's a great move by new VP/GM Ben Cherington.


I love Scutaro. He's an old-school player who doesn't say much, just goes out there and sucks up all the ground balls hit to short like a hoover. That's what we should call him -- Hoover Scutaro. Jose Iglesias, the Red Sox SS heir apparent, is not quite ready to make the jump to the big ball club, so it makes complete sense to keep Scutaro around another year.


I think I'll go out and get a Scutaro jersey tee shirt, if they even make 'em. I gotta rout for someone who doesn't drink beer on the team. Just kidding. Well, not really.

Welcome, Ben

I was all prepared to write a word of congratulations to Ben Cherinton, the new incoming General Manager of my beloved Red Sox. I was going to mention how it seems like he is a highly-respected, quiet leader. A young up-and-coming baseball executive (not unlike someone else we know).

But then, I read Theo Epstein's farewell letter in the Globe, thanking Red Sox Nation. Man, I had to process it. It's been 10 years! I wasn't expecting to react to it the way I did. I could feel my heart sink into my stomach for a second there. He's really gone and I believe were going to miss him. It truly is the end of an era, as they say. And as painful as this past month has been, it doesn't come close to erasing the great memories and championships we've had under Theo's vigilant eye. 

I'm sad to see him go, but Red Sox Nation will live on. We still have Pedi and the crew. Adrian is locked up. Carl will bounce back. The two Ryan's are coming up soon. They'll re-sign Jacoby. Right?

So, yeah, welcome Ben. You've been in the shadows. Now it's your time. Don't screw it up. Haha...no seriously...don't screw it up.

Hereeeeee, Lackey!

Well, if Peter Abraham's (Boston Globe) report is true, the San Diego Padres may have interest in John Lackey. When I read that, the first word out of my mouth was "WHEW!" Let me tell you, as a SoCal guy, I really wanted Lackey to do well in Boston. He was a bulldog in Disneyland and I was one who thought he still had some gas left in the tank. I guess I, like Theo Epstein and company, were very wrong.

I was about to start writing about how Lackey has failed the Sox on a variety of levels. I think that's already been covered in triplicate. Instead let me just say that when you come to Boston to play for the Sox, it doesn't matter what money they are paying you -- if you don't produce, we'll smell it right away. Lackey had a stench on himself early on. Red Sox Nation endured it for one season. We figured it was culture shock. Season 2? Fool us once, but not a second time. We see you for exactly what you are -- a lazy, good for nothing, overpaid has-been who thinks they are a premier player in this league. Man -- what did Josh Beckett do to you and Lester anyway? Josh can get away with drinking and being an ass - because his results on the mound don't lie. Not sure what you were thinking!

Good luck in San Diego, John. At least they know what they're getting. We thought we did. Thanks for the major wake-up call.

In Tek We Trust

For a team that isn't even in the post-season, there has been much too much talk about the Red Sox lately. Honestly, I don't care who was or was not drinking beer in the clubhouse. I couldn't care less who ordered fried chicken. These are grown men who play at the highest level. Has anyone accused one of the position players of playing while intoxicated? Were pitchers taking the mound after throwing back a few brewski's? No and no. So what's all the fuss about?

Oh yeah, the Sox lost 20 of the 27 games they played in September -- that's what the fuss is all abour.

If you hadn't heard, the Red Sox have been accused of all sorts of clubhouse shenanigans ever since their meteoric collapse from post-season contention. People are searching for answers. It must have been the alcohol, right? What else could it be? We know the stories of drinking are true. Jon Lester confirmed them this week. But nothing sounded particularly horrendous from his description of things. Lester is a standup guy. We should be able to trust his assessment when he says it didn't affect the Red Sox play down the stretch. Seems like no consolation for those of us who feel let down by Lester, who was supposed to be our rock when times got tough.

But today, Jason Varitek spoke up and said the Red Sox team was unified and that nothing that happened off the field affected how they played. He said they just didn't play well when they needed to.

And with that, all of this talk can go away. Jason Varitek has been catching for the Red Sox for 15 seasons. He made A-Rod look like a ragdoll and he has managed two World Series' winning Sox teams from behind the plate. He also keeps his mouth shut and just works hard. If Varitek says everything was fine, then without question I believe him. Thanks for setting us straight, Jason.

I don't know why I didn't do this earlier

Every day around 4:00 p.m., I un-plaster myself from my desk to go talk to the only other guy in my office who likes the Red Sox. The difference between us is that he is from Boston and I am not. I was born and raised in L.A., but there aren't many things in this world that I love more than the Red Sox. I wish I could explain it.

I never fell in love with the MLB teams here in L.A. It wasn't for lack of trying. My mom has been a diehard Dodger fan since I can remember. She used to carry a cruddy walkman-ripoff around and listen to games while she puttered through the house. The Angels always had cool merchandise (since they change their logo every month), but any passion for the team was never there. I was a baseball fan without a purpose, without a heart. But that all changed when I discovered the Bo Sox.

I was in college. I turned on the TV. Oh, a baseball game was on. A tough, gritty John Valentin was delivering strikes across the diamond to Mo Vaughn. Something in my stirred. What was this feeling? It was new to me. Simple uniforms, simple style? I...kind of....yeah....I like it! That was it. I found my calling. Red Sox Nation, you just adopted a new son.

So here I am, several years later -- taking the steps two at a time to talk to my friend on the floor above me. I recall to him the latest news on the collapse of the Red Sox and of the off-season predictions I've been reading about when he says, "Hey, you should start a blog." What? Oh....hmmm...yeah, maybe.

Welcome to Red Sox L.A.: blog letters of love about the only baseball team that matters - the Boston Red Sox.

Go Sox!