Red Sox Locker Room Antics During Playoff Drive

[Gil Dobie]

With their team in peril and their manager losing his authority, three Red Sox pitchers last month were uniquely positioned to prevent the greatest September collapse in major league history. All the Sox needed was Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, and John Lackey to apply the skills and commitment that previously made them World Series champions.

Instead, Boston’s three elite starters went soft, their pitching as anemic as their work ethic. The indifference of Beckett, Lester, and Lackey in a time of crisis can be seen in what team sources say became their habit of drinking beer, eating fast-food fried chicken, and playing video games in the clubhouse during games while their teammates tried to salvage a once-promising season.

Link

Hey, Lackey, guess we are going to fold them this year.

[JoltinJoe]

at the dinosaurs who think the Red Sox collapsed.

In fact, the Red Sox were actually the AL East champions, according to both Second Order Winning % and Third Order Winning %. They finished about five games ahead of the second-place Rays and about six games ahead of the third-place Yankees.

It is only the old-fart traditionalists, using 1980's type criteria like W-L records, that think the Red Sox had a bad season.

The 2011 Red Sox -- another great Moneyball team! Once again, the Sox delivered the Moneyball title

[JayJ79]

I'd much rather do that than have to sit through watching a Red Sox game.

[UNHWildCats]

at the dinosaurs who think the Red Sox collapsed.

In fact, the Red Sox were actually the AL East champions, according to both Second Order Winning % and Third Order Winning %. They finished about five games ahead of the second-place Rays and about six games ahead of the third-place Yankees.

It is only the old-fart traditionalists, using 1980's type criteria like W-L records, that think the Red Sox had a bad season.

The 2011 Red Sox -- another great Moneyball team! Once again, the Sox delivered the Moneyball title

at the end of August the Red Sox were on pace for 100 wins and a division title. This was a VERY good team... talent wise maybe the best of Theo and Francona's tenures... what the team lacks is accountability, toughness and aside from Pedroia and maybe another voice, leadership.

What we now know is the team wasn't built to suffer any losses in the rotation and thats what doomed this team.

We also learned that the ownership will throw anyone under the bus to avoid taking responsibility. The ownership continues to smear people when they leave, it started with Nomar in 2004 and continues now with Tito and Theo. The one constant in all this though is the ownership, so perhaps they are the real problem.

[UNHWildCats]

I wouldnt be surprised to see several members of this team shown the door including Jason Varitek, Kevin Youkilis, Tim Wakefield, John Lackey, Josh Beckett and David Ortiz.

[tampajag]

I wonder if this was the soundtrack:

[AZGrizFan]

This article is based on a series of interviews the Globe conducted with individuals familiar with the Sox operation at all levels. Most requested anonymity out of concern for their jobs or potential damage to their relationships in the organization. Others refused to comment or did not respond to interview requests.

Yellow journalism at its finest.

[UNHWildCats]

This article is based on a series of interviews the Globe conducted with individuals familiar with the Sox operation at all levels. Most requested anonymity out of concern for their jobs or potential damage to their relationships in the organization. Others refused to comment or did not respond to interview requests.

Yellow journalism at its finest.

Some are suggesting that Larry Lucchino is one of the unnamed sources.

[AZGrizFan]

Yellow journalism at its finest.

Some are suggesting that Larry Lucchino is one of the unnamed sources.

Whatever. If a source is afraid to go on the record, then they shouldn't be used as a source. It's chicken-shit journalism at its finest.

[UNHWildCats]

Some are suggesting that Larry Lucchino is one of the unnamed sources.

Whatever. If a source is afraid to go on the record, then they shouldn't be used as a source. It's chicken-shit journalism at its finest.

of course it is... and the article even if it had named sources its still chicken-shit journalism.

[JoltinJoe]

at the dinosaurs who think the Red Sox collapsed.

In fact, the Red Sox were actually the AL East champions, according to both Second Order Winning % and Third Order Winning %. They finished about five games ahead of the second-place Rays and about six games ahead of the third-place Yankees.

It is only the old-fart traditionalists, using 1980's type criteria like W-L records, that think the Red Sox had a bad season.

The 2011 Red Sox -- another great Moneyball team! Once again, the Sox delivered the Moneyball title

at the end of August the Red Sox were on pace for 100 wins and a division title. This was a VERY good team... talent wise maybe the best of Theo and Francona's tenures... what the team lacks is accountability, toughness and aside from Pedroia and maybe another voice, leadership.

What we now know is the team wasn't built to suffer any losses in the rotation and thats what doomed this team.

We also learned that the ownership will throw anyone under the bus to avoid taking responsibility. The ownership continues to smear people when they leave, it started with Nomar in 2004 and continues now with Tito and Theo. The one constant in all this though is the ownership, so perhaps they are the real problem.

The 2011 Red Sox had a lot of talent, but it was apparently missing leadership, one of those non-quantifiable factors that a GM has to have some intuition about. An over-reliance on numbers doesn't address whether a roster has leadership and chemistry. The stuff coming out now is pretty remarkable. Guys who should have stepped up from Day 1 and demanded excellence of commitment from others are eating chicken, drinking beer, and playing video games during ball games?

Is David Ortiz to the Yankees a real possibility? They'd name the second deck in right field "Papi's Porch."

[UNHWildCats]

at the end of August the Red Sox were on pace for 100 wins and a division title. This was a VERY good team... talent wise maybe the best of Theo and Francona's tenures... what the team lacks is accountability, toughness and aside from Pedroia and maybe another voice, leadership.

What we now know is the team wasn't built to suffer any losses in the rotation and thats what doomed this team.

We also learned that the ownership will throw anyone under the bus to avoid taking responsibility. The ownership continues to smear people when they leave, it started with Nomar in 2004 and continues now with Tito and Theo. The one constant in all this though is the ownership, so perhaps they are the real problem.

The 2011 Red Sox had a lot of talent, but it was apparently missing leadership, one of those non-quantifiable factors that a GM has to have some intuition about. An over-reliance on numbers doesn't address whether a roster has leadership and chemistry. The stuff coming out now is pretty remarkable. Guys who should have stepped up from Day 1 and demanded excellence of commitment from others are eating chicken, drinking beer, and playing video games during ball games?

Is David Ortiz to the Yankees a real possibility? They'd name the second deck in right field "Papi's Porch."

Yes, I believe I said leadership in the first paragraph as one of the major factors for why this team failed down the stretch.

I don't see how New York can sign Ortiz. They have A-Rods massive contract that is just screaming "Overpaid DH" for the next however many years. And if New York were seriously in the market for a power hitting left handed bat, I have to imagine it would be Prince Fielder they go after even if Ortiz would come at a much cheaper price... if for no other reason than they are the Yankees and they rather have the nice expensive cherry red camaro than a classic.

[JoltinJoe]

The 2011 Red Sox had a lot of talent, but it was apparently missing leadership, one of those non-quantifiable factors that a GM has to have some intuition about. An over-reliance on numbers doesn't address whether a roster has leadership and chemistry. The stuff coming out now is pretty remarkable. Guys who should have stepped up from Day 1 and demanded excellence of commitment from others are eating chicken, drinking beer, and playing video games during ball games?

Is David Ortiz to the Yankees a real possibility? They'd name the second deck in right field "Papi's Porch."

Yes, I believe I said leadership in the first paragraph as one of the major factors for why this team failed down the stretch.

I don't see how New York can sign Ortiz. They have A-Rods massive contract that is just screaming "Overpaid DH" for the next however many years. And if New York were seriously in the market for a power hitting left handed bat, I have to imagine it would be Prince Fielder they go after even if Ortiz would come at a much cheaper price... if for no other reason than they are the Yankees and they rather have the nice expensive cherry red camaro than a classic.

There's no need to rush A-Rod into the DH position. He is actually playing excellent defense -- some have derisively called him a "defensive specialist." A-Rod should be able to cover third for another two seasons, which is probably th elength of an Ortiz deal. At some point too, the Yankees have buyout options on the Arod deal, from what I've heard.

I doubt Fielder/Pujols are going to want to DH, but Ortiz is already a DH and is going to come a lot cheaper than Fielder/Pujols.

[ToTheLeft]

at the dinosaurs who think the Red Sox collapsed.

In fact, the Red Sox were actually the AL East champions, according to both Second Order Winning % and Third Order Winning %. They finished about five games ahead of the second-place Rays and about six games ahead of the third-place Yankees.

It is only the old-fart traditionalists, using 1980's type criteria like W-L records, that think the Red Sox had a bad season.

The 2011 Red Sox -- another great Moneyball team! Once again, the Sox delivered the Moneyball title

I know what you're trying to do here, and it's completely off base.

The Red Sox were not built on any kind of Moneyball. They were built by a GM who prefers to build up a farm system and bring up players that are home grown, but with a City/Fanbase that demands the team spend to keep up with the Yankees. So instead of spending time and resources finding the next great pitcher, they had to dump cash into Carl Crawford and Gonzo, if only to keep them from going to the Yankees!

I feel bad for Theo, and I have a good feeling he's going to dominate the NL Central if he's given a chance in Chicago.

I also feel bad for Yankees fans who are taking solace in the fact that their overpaid dream team, while failing to win a ring ONCE AGAIN, finished better than the Sox! Must be a nice fantasy world to live in, where losing is okay as long as your rival makes a bigger fool of themselves. Inexcusable for the Yanks to not win a ring, or at least the AL Pennant, with the money they put into it. And your savior, Mariano, isn't gonna last much longer. I have a feeling there will be some issues in NYY-land when he hangs up the spikes.

[Grizalltheway]

at the dinosaurs who think the Red Sox collapsed.

In fact, the Red Sox were actually the AL East champions, according to both Second Order Winning % and Third Order Winning %. They finished about five games ahead of the second-place Rays and about six games ahead of the third-place Yankees.

It is only the old-fart traditionalists, using 1980's type criteria like W-L records, that think the Red Sox had a bad season.

The 2011 Red Sox -- another great Moneyball team! Once again, the Sox delivered the Moneyball title

I know what you're trying to do here, and it's completely off base.

The Red Sox were not built on any kind of Moneyball. They were built by a GM who prefers to build up a farm system and bring up players that are home grown, but with a City/Fanbase that demands the team spend to keep up with the Yankees. So instead of spending time and resources finding the next great pitcher, they had to dump cash into Carl Crawford and Gonzo, if only to keep them from going to the Yankees!

I feel bad for Theo, and I have a good feeling he's going to dominate the NL Central if he's given a chance in Chicago.

I also feel bad for Yankees fans who are taking solace in the fact that their overpaid dream team, while failing to win a ring ONCE AGAIN, finished better than the Sox! Must be a nice fantasy world to live in, where losing is okay as long as your rival makes a bigger fool of themselves. Inexcusable for the Yanks to not win a ring, or at least the AL Pennant, with the money they put into it. And your savior, Mariano, isn't gonna last much longer. I have a feeling there will be some issues in NYY-land when he hangs up the spikes.

Cubs should be a perfect fit for him. What other team would sell out every game, during the day no less, with such a shitty product on the field?

[ToTheLeft]

I bet there's better fried chicken in Chicago than Boston.

[UNHWildCats]

I bet there's better fried chicken in Chicago than Boston.

Theo is welcome to take Lackey with him and let Lackey find out.

[grizzaholic]

Wait. Didn't Boston win 100 games and SWEEP the playoffs and the World Series?