Gordon Edes 10 Offseason Ideas for the Red Sox

[RedSox44]

Article

So, Gordon Edes recently published an article with 10 things for the Red Sox to do this offseason. Some of them are alright, others are engagingly stupid. I think some of these are rather dumb (ESPECIALLY number 10) but I want your opinion.

[Punch]

He starts it off with "And it would not shock me if they won it all". There's your jinx for the 2012 season, Boston. This is just the continuation of the cycle that began last year, which started with the media declaring the Red Sox champs before the season even started.

Overall this article seems to talk about trading and picking up big-name free agents over the winter. How exactly will that help the chemistry issues going on in the clubhouse? If you're going for the Most Egotistical and Dysfunctional Team Award, by all means trade away your starting pitchers and sign guys who won't be comfortable in the clubhouse atmosphere until May or June.

But that's just my opinion, plus I am biased because he mentioned stealing Michael Cuddyer away from the Twins in the free agent market.

[FiddySicks]

So let's get this straight. The Red Sox have won two World Series in the past 8 years, ALWAYS outspend other teams (this past off season in particular) in order to stay competitive, missed the playoffs by ONE GAME under circumstances that are about as unlikely as winning the California Lottery, and the fans want the owners to take out a full page add apologizing for how it all went down? What exactly would they be apologizing for? Doing all they possibly could to keep the team competitive? For not winning four World Series rather than two in the last 8 years? For the Patriots loss to the Jets in last year's playoffs? This is baseball, everyone. Not my super sweet 16. Boston fans are so insanely spoiled it's disgusting.

[RedSox44]

He starts it off with "And it would not shock me if they won it all". There's your jinx for the 2012 season, Boston. This is just the continuation of the cycle that began last year, which started with the media declaring the Red Sox champs before the season even started.

Overall this article seems to talk about trading and picking up big-name free agents over the winter. How exactly will that help the chemistry issues going on in the clubhouse? If you're going for the Most Egotistical and Dysfunctional Team Award, by all means trade away your starting pitchers and sign guys who won't be comfortable in the clubhouse atmosphere until May or June.

But that's just my opinion, plus I am biased because he mentioned stealing Michael Cuddyer away from the Twins in the free agent market.

Agree entirely. Minor moves are all the Red Sox need.

And trust me, the majority of Red Sox fans DO NOT want Cuddyer. We're fine with Reddick and Kalish.

So let's get this straight. The Red Sox have won two World Series in the past 8 years, ALWAYS outspend other teams (this past off season in particular) in order to stay competitive, missed the playoffs by ONE GAME under circumstances that are about as unlikely as winning the California Lottery, and the fans want the owners to take out a full page add apologizing for how it all went down? What exactly would they be apologizing for? Doing all they possibly could to keep the team competitive? For not winning four World Series rather than two in the last 8 years? For the Patriots loss to the Jets in last year's playoffs? This is baseball, everyone. Not my super sweet 16. Boston fans are so insanely spoiled it's disgusting.

Perhaps he wants them to apologize for all the beer swilling and chicken eating going on in the clubhouse, which some fans think is basically a middle finger to the team and fans.

If that's what Edes wants, it makes no sense for the OWNERSHIP GROUP to apologize for that. It's not like it's Henry's fault.

[Brass]

So let's get this straight. The Red Sox have won two World Series in the past 8 years, ALWAYS outspend other teams (this past off season in particular) in order to stay competitive, missed the playoffs by ONE GAME under circumstances that are about as unlikely as winning the California Lottery, and the fans want the owners to take out a full page add apologizing for how it all went down? What exactly would they be apologizing for? Doing all they possibly could to keep the team competitive? For not winning four World Series rather than two in the last 8 years? For the Patriots loss to the Jets in last year's playoffs? This is baseball, everyone. Not my super sweet 16. Boston fans are so insanely spoiled it's disgusting.

Show me where Gordon Eides writes that it's the fans who want the owners to apologize. Show me in that article, because I sure as hell can't find it. Eides is a journalist. A journalist does not equal a fair and proper representation of the fans (see: Bill Simmons). This "Red Sox fans wanted that, Red Sox fans wanted this" mentality has got to stop. I can't think of one person who is banging on the walls of Fenway Park, asking for the owners to take out an ad in the Boston Globe. I also know you didn't say this, but the assumption that Sox fans wanted Terry Francona out of town also needs to die. NO RED SOX FAN wanted to see Tito leave Boston. He was loved, revered and rightfully so; he's the greatest manager in the history of the club.

Speaking of, have we even ever had a "stereotypical Boston fan" on the boards before?

[FiddySicks]

So let's get this straight. The Red Sox have won two World Series in the past 8 years, ALWAYS outspend other teams (this past off season in particular) in order to stay competitive, missed the playoffs by ONE GAME under circumstances that are about as unlikely as winning the California Lottery, and the fans want the owners to take out a full page add apologizing for how it all went down? What exactly would they be apologizing for? Doing all they possibly could to keep the team competitive? For not winning four World Series rather than two in the last 8 years? For the Patriots loss to the Jets in last year's playoffs? This is baseball, everyone. Not my super sweet 16. Boston fans are so insanely spoiled it's disgusting.

Show me where Gordon Eides writes that it's the fans who want the owners to apologize. Show me in that article, because I sure as hell can't find it. Eides is a journalist. A journalist does not equal a fair and proper representation of the fans (see: Bill Simmons). This "Red Sox fans wanted that, Red Sox fans wanted this" mentality has got to stop. I can't think of one person who is banging on the walls of Fenway Park, asking for the owners to take out an ad in the Boston Globe. I also know you didn't say this, but the assumption that Sox fans wanted Terry Francona out of town also needs to die. NO RED SOX FAN wanted to see Tito leave Boston. He was loved, revered and rightfully so; he's the greatest manager in the history of the club.

Speaking of, have we even ever had a "stereotypical Boston fan" on the boards before?

Ok so it's not directly the fan base standing on Yawkey way screaming for an apology, but just presenting the idea that an apology is something the owners owe the fans, is absurd. The owners don't owe the fans s**t, especially considering recent history. It's just the basic sense of entitlement that wears out faster than a wet paper bag. And I agree with you about Francona. Whoever made that reactionary move, regardless of the influences, is an absolute moron.

[Gothamite]

I do think the Red Sox owe some apologies, but not necessarily for that. They owe Terry Francona an apology for smearing his reputation as he walked away. The latest in a long list of former Sox they've badmouthed.

http://www.csnne.com/sportsnetNewEngland/search/v/46153186/neumeier-the-red-sox-run-smear-campaigns-9-24.htm

Classless, classless organization. Shame on them.

[Fox]

So let's get this straight. The Red Sox have won two World Series in the past 8 years, ALWAYS outspend other teams (this past off season in particular) in order to stay competitive, missed the playoffs by ONE GAME under circumstances that are about as unlikely as winning the California Lottery, and the fans want the owners to take out a full page add apologizing for how it all went down? What exactly would they be apologizing for? Doing all they possibly could to keep the team competitive? For not winning four World Series rather than two in the last 8 years? For the Patriots loss to the Jets in last year's playoffs? This is baseball, everyone. Not my super sweet 16. Boston fans are so insanely spoiled it's disgusting.

Nope. Actually, contrary to what everyone on this site belives, what an article about a team written by an idiot writer trying to make headlines says is not the opinion throughout the fanbase.

Red Sox fans, (or atleast I don't) don't blame ownership for what happened. I think the players who cut back on work, disobeyed their manager, and hung out in the clubhouse during the games should be the ones who take out a full-page add to apologize.

[Lights Out]

Speaking of, have we even ever had a "stereotypical Boston fan" on the boards before?

No... not yet, anyway. The way things are going, we're due for a Tommy from Quinzee type.

[BigMac12]

Interesting list.

Now let's do one for the Bronx Bombers.

[rams80]

I don't see "Aztec Style Sacrifice of randomly selected fan before every home game" on the list.

[Fox]

I think what people need to realize is that the Red Sox fans aren't outraged because they missed the playoffs. Sure, it's dissapointing, but if I knew my team went down fighting I'd be ok with it. If you're reading the same stuff I've been reading over the past week, the Red Sox had no heart. Many players cut back on conditioning. They took advantage of having a laid-back manager who was clearly distracted. A trio of pitchers packed on the pounds and hung out in the clubhouse drinking during games. Players bitched about management scheduling a double-header because of hurricane Irene. The accused management of being selfish and in return, played uninspired baseball down the stretch. This team had the talent to go deep into the playoffs, but they let it all go to waste.

[Dexter Morgan]

I've never seen such an overreacting to a late season collapse in my life. From fans, the media, and the Red Sox front office. Is anyone going to be surprised if the Sox win 95 games next year and make the postseason? or win the division? Last time I checked the Red Sox have a hell of a lot of talent on that roster. Can't wait for ESPN to be "shocked" when the Sox start out 20-8 to start the season next year.

[Brass]

I think what people need to realize is that the Red Sox fans aren't outraged because they missed the playoffs. Sure, it's dissapointing, but if I knew my team went down fighting I'd be ok with it. If you're reading the same stuff I've been reading over the past week, the Red Sox had no heart. Many players cut back on conditioning. They took advantage of having a laid-back manager who was clearly distracted. A trio of pitchers packed on the pounds and hung out in the clubhouse drinking during games. Players bitched about management scheduling a double-header because of hurricane Irene. The accused management of being selfish and in return, played uninspired baseball down the stretch. This team had the talent to go deep into the playoffs, but they let it all go to waste.

The "drinking in the clubhouse" shouldn't be an issue with us Sox fans. If we were ok with Kevin Millar and the '04 Sox taking shots before the Yankees game, we should be ok with Lester, Beckett and that guy who claims to be professional baseball player John Lackey having a couple beers on their off day.

[RedSox44]

I think what people need to realize is that the Red Sox fans aren't outraged because they missed the playoffs. Sure, it's dissapointing, but if I knew my team went down fighting I'd be ok with it. If you're reading the same stuff I've been reading over the past week, the Red Sox had no heart. Many players cut back on conditioning. They took advantage of having a laid-back manager who was clearly distracted. A trio of pitchers packed on the pounds and hung out in the clubhouse drinking during games. Players bitched about management scheduling a double-header because of hurricane Irene. The accused management of being selfish and in return, played uninspired baseball down the stretch. This team had the talent to go deep into the playoffs, but they let it all go to waste.

The "drinking in the clubhouse" shouldn't be an issue with us Sox fans. If we were ok with Kevin Millar and the '04 Sox taking shots before the Yankees game, we should be ok with Lester, Beckett and that guy who claims to be professional baseball player John Lackey having a couple beers on their off day.

But the thing is, Kevin Millar was taking shots BEFORE the game. Apparently, the Beckett/Lester/Lackey stuff was going on DURING the game.

I think the reason a lot of fans and media are pissed about that is that it's been construed as Beckett, Lester and Lackey showing disrespect to their teammates and their leaders; especially if it was going on during games.

[Brass]

I think what people need to realize is that the Red Sox fans aren't outraged because they missed the playoffs. Sure, it's dissapointing, but if I knew my team went down fighting I'd be ok with it. If you're reading the same stuff I've been reading over the past week, the Red Sox had no heart. Many players cut back on conditioning. They took advantage of having a laid-back manager who was clearly distracted. A trio of pitchers packed on the pounds and hung out in the clubhouse drinking during games. Players bitched about management scheduling a double-header because of hurricane Irene. The accused management of being selfish and in return, played uninspired baseball down the stretch. This team had the talent to go deep into the playoffs, but they let it all go to waste.

The "drinking in the clubhouse" shouldn't be an issue with us Sox fans. If we were ok with Kevin Millar and the '04 Sox taking shots before the Yankees game, we should be ok with Lester, Beckett and that guy who claims to be professional baseball player John Lackey having a couple beers on their off day.

But the thing is, Kevin Millar was taking shots BEFORE the game. Apparently, the Beckett/Lester/Lackey stuff was going on DURING the game.

I think the reason a lot of fans and media are pissed about that is that it's been construed as Beckett, Lester and Lackey showing disrespect to their teammates and their leaders; especially if it was going on during games.

Let's be honest, though - if the Sox made the playoffs, this wouldn't have been an issue at all. It's the typical Boston media fishing for the Sox excuses and falsely labeling themselves as the voices of Red Sox fans.

[Gothamite]

The "drinking in the clubhouse" shouldn't be an issue with us Sox fans. If we were ok with Kevin Millar and the '04 Sox taking shots before the Yankees game, we should be ok with Lester, Beckett and that guy who claims to be professional baseball player John Lackey having a couple beers on their off day.

Crash Davis addressed this: "You'll never make it to the bigs with fungus on your shower shoes. Think classy, you'll be classy. If you win 20 in the Show, you can let the fungus grow back and the press'll think you're colorful. Until you win 20 in the Show, however, it means you are a slob."