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!