Francona's Decisions

[mosox]

So far it's not a good week for Tito. We find out Olerud didn't get to pinch hit Sunday because Francona promised Mueller he wouldn't play second base and since Billy was on base Tito couldn't ask him at the last minute.

And then there is Monday against Tampa. Warming up Embree in the pen and still letting Miller pich to Gathright, a lefthanded hitter, with the bases loaded and two out. Gathright delivers a two run hit and THEN Embree comes in to strike out Crawford. It's now at the point where these decisions are costing wins.

[trotmanNixon]

Yeah I haven't been a huge fan of some of his managerial decisions thus far this week or during the season for that matter. But I am not a manager or player or anybody special, so I am sure they know a hell of a lot more about the sport then I do. I was hoping that maybe he was just stressed out from the All-Star game preparations in the first half and was just screwing up because of that, but I guess I was just trying to justify. The guy did bring this team to a championship, so I guess he must know what he is doing to some degree.

 

His biggest problem, in my eyes, is that he gets to attached to the guys that brought him a championship last year. Millar and Bellhorn have been struggling thus far this year and he kept them in the lineup night in and night out hoping that they turned it around. Bellhorn never turned it around (in fact I think he got worse), but Millar has been batting better. With Bellhorn on the DL now, Its going to be interesting to see how Tony G. is going to play in his place.

[MC Hammer]

How do you know that it was Tito's decission to keep Mueller off 2nd. I think it is very likely that Tito may have gone to him and asked him how he'd feel at 2nd, and Mueller said he didn't want to play there. I'm not trying to throw Billy under the bus. He has every right to say that he doesn't want to play 2nd base because of his knees. Even if this was Tito's decision it was a good one. Why would you move a player with bad knees into a position where, one a nightly bases, someone is trying to take your legs out? Doesn't make any sense to do that.

 

I agree with you though on your second gripe with Tito. It made no sense to allow Wade to pitch to a left handed batter in that situation. I don't care if you have no faith in Embree at all. If you warm Embree up to pitch to a left handed batter, then put him in the game.

[riverside sluggers]

So far it is working in Francona, Theo, and Curt's decision for him to better start off as a closer and work his way through, this hasnt been a disaster like many posters on this forum have suggested. In 5 appearances has gotten a save, yes has blown a lead but as everybody knows fate went into Sox's hands as Manny hit a solo shot, and curt got the win with a pop-up and last 2 batters swingin for the fences

 

5 games (6.0 innings pitched)

3 hits, 3 Earned Runs, 7 strikeouts, no walks

[CrespoBlows]

Francona is the manager of the year, runner up to Ozzie Guillen.

 

You name any other manager you can get this team into 1st place with no bullpen, and having to go through what he does everyday (Manny, Damon, Millar)