If there's one thing I've learned in my 28+ years on this planet, it's this. That actions DO NOT, under any circumstances, speak louder than words. Today's case in point being the aggressive smear campaign that's accompanying the Red Sox unraveling about as fittingly as a glass of milk would accompany a plate full of delicious cookies. Or, to speak in the parlance of our times, how a nice 6 pack of Lone Star beer would accompany a bucket full of fried chicken...
But all trans fats aside, it's really disgusting what's going on right now up on Yawkee Way. I mean, it's bad enough that the Red Sox embarrassed themselves on the field, now the entire organization is doing i on the front pages, too. Back stabbing, finger pointing, and the leaks. Dear God, the leaks! How else do you think a scathing piece,
like the one Bob Hohler wrote for the Boston Globe this week, gets written? IT's all about people covering their ass, and making sure that it's made clear that they weren't the one that was causing all the problems. Apparently these rats aren't of the belief that essentially firing the head coach and the GM has already sent that message loud and clear...
That's the problem. People are more concerned with placing and assessing blame than they are for owning up to what the problems actually are. In this case, it seems the problems run all the way to the front office, which is probably why the front office is doing it's best to make sure the exact opposite opinion is being spread to the masses. Namely team President & CEO, Larry Lucchino, whose longstanding and well deserved reputation for using the media to his advantage, have placed him at center stage. Essentially, he's the "Sammy the Bull", or "Henry Hill", of this shit. Except instead of squealing to the FEDs to avoid
prosecution, he's squealing to the press, in order to avoid any
persecution...
It's just embarrassing, is what it is. Accusing the fiercely loyal manager of being distracted due to marital troubles and alleged pain killer abuse, floating stories about beer and fried chicken in the clubhouse? It's the behavior of a front office that knows that ultimately, they're the ones who should be shouldering a good portion of the blame. It's just apparent that they want none of that, and have instead opted for a straight up smear campaign. That's why I'm worried going forward. It's obvious that Lucchino would rather have this organization set up as a puppet regime, with Ben Cherington already installed as the latest puppet, and it's also pretty clear that owner, John Henry, is content with him doing exactly that. And why not? They've made a ton of money doing things that way over the last 10 years, and in the end, that's what this business is all about...
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| Cherington, Hoyer and Lucchino with some of the most awkward smiles I've ever seen... |
I'll even go as far as to say that I think upper management was actually happy that an opportunity arose that allowed Theo Epstein to realistically leave the team. Why? Not due to lack of success or differences of opinion, but because he'd become too big to give orders too. They want a guy that's new to the job, and in their eyes, much more receptive to their ideas. Ya know, a lot like Theo was when he first came in. Now I know Ben Cherington has been in the organization since '98, so you could argue he has experience, but as the only member of Theo's staff that's never really been sought out by other clubs (Byrnes, Hoyer), he certainly seems to fit the bill as someone who should be easily nudged in one direction or another, depending on ownership's whims...
I know it's business, but there are right ways to doing things, and there are wrong ways. Ripping everyone on their way out the door? Not the right way to do things. IT makes the accuser look petty and weak, and when the accuser is management, it gives the impression that the organization is very unstable. That's my worry here. Not the fried chicken, not Tito's alleged road hoes (although I'm not giving Tito or the players a pass). The fact that management feels so vulnerable in this situation, and apparently lacks so much confidence in their decisions, that they need to make it appear that it was everyone,
except for themselves, who were the reason why the season, and at least temporarily the organization, came crumbling down the way it did...
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| Nothing a few duck boat rides won't cure... |
You know the phrase, "you don't wanna see how the sausage is made"? Well, we just took a look at the process. And while the sales staff and the workers may not have been doing their best to sell the sausage, the fact that we now know that ownership was is the back filling those intestines with shit, is what's really making this whole thing that much harder to stomach. We know it's a messy process, the hiring and firing of people and the running of a major sports franchise, but when the mess is created deliberately? Well that's something that tends to turn people off. Myself included...
They have had a good run, though. Talking about Henry, Lucchino & Tom Werner, and this behavior is really nothing new. It's never unfolded in such a disastrous fashion, but it's not like we haven't seen this behavior out of them before. So by that logic, as much as I don't approve of their tactics, there's no reason to believe they can't again get things headed in the right direction. I mean, aren't they kind of right back where they started when they took over? Team in turmoil with some good pieces and a new GM? Sure, some of those pieces might have forced their way out of town with their actions (Beckett, Lackey, Lester?), and the turmoil might be greater than it's ever been, but it's not like they're in completely unfamiliar waters. Question is, is can they win the PR battle fast enough as to where fans will again be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt? If they can do that, all will be forgotten. Because I've not only learned in my 28+ years that actions don't speak louder than words, but I've also learned that winning cures all ills. And if they can get this team winning again, and close the door up to the butcher shop, then all should be right again in Red Sox Nation. It won't erase history, but it will turn this embarrassing moment in time into just another colorful part of the team's storied history...
That's if they can win this PR battle. Which is a battle that's just begun, and one where they now find themselves already losing in the court of public opinion. Yep, it should be one Hell of an off season. Keep the Bruins off the front pages, at least...
Now, take a look at how I make
my sausage. Wait, that didn't come out right. OK, whatever. Here are this week's picks. Sure to make more than enough money to buy all the sausage you need...or to use to have the image of Larry Lucchino making shit sausage removed from your brain. Either way. How you spend it is up to you...
Enjoy...
