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.