Red Sox Skip Pesky Funeral

[Emmz]

The players on the Red Sox get paid millions of dollars a year to not only play hard and do their best to win games, but to represent the ball club, the fans and the city in a positive light.

 

Theirs is a public profession, and they get held to a high standard, as they should, and as their paychecks would seem to require.

 

But there has been a growing disconnect between the players and the public for a few years now, and it's reached a boiling point. They are worse than clueless, they are outwardly contemptuous of the fans and their own obligation as ambassadors of a century old tradition.

 

Even the "25 cabs, 25 players" teams from the 80's weren't as despised as these guys are.

So athletes should be held to a higher standard because they get paid more money and have a job where they're on TV? So this somehow equates to their personal lives? That is such a crock, why does this even matter. You're just trying to cop-out to being judgmental.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

You have little to be worried about.

 

attack the post, not the poster. Getting into personal insults speaks volumes about you.

Yeah sorry. 'Clowns' is a very harsh word. I should have been gentler and said bozos.

[resdubwhite]

Yeah sorry. 'Clowns' is a very harsh word. I should have been gentler and said bozos.

 

Like I said. Attack the post. Not the poster.

 

If you can't do that theres no point in getting involved in conversation with you.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Like I said. Attack the post. Not the poster.

 

If you can't do that theres no point in getting involved in conversation with you.

Don't tell me how to post, you bozo.

[resdubwhite]

la la la la la la la

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Alright this is stupid. People have different opinions let them say whatever the hell they want. You disagree then that's fine it's a message board.

[Brennan]

Alright this is stupid. People have different opinions let them say whatever the hell they want. You disagree then that's fine it's a message board.

 

 

Exactly. I can attest that sometimes emotions get the best of us and we say things that we would never dream of saying to each other if we were in a bar having a drink and watching a game. I don't think anything good will come of this thread. Someone should start a thread we can all get behind like a "Countdown to the demise of the 2012 yankees thread" for example.

[YAZMAN]

It would have been interesting to see who showed up if there was beer and fried chicken on the bus.

[ibot2much]

We can go back to the points made at various times in the past. Are you a fan of the name on the front or the name on the back? These guys are just rented by the Sox. LL was on screen talking about over 100 people represented the Red Sox ORGANIZATION at the funeral. The rentals didn't show to a great degree.

[SCM33]

Why are posters bringing on field performance into this thread? The thread is about an off the field incident regarding the red sox. Since this is a redsox forum and the incident involved the redsox, it's a relevant topic.

[ibot2much]

Why are posters bringing on field performance into this thread? The thread is about an off the field incident regarding the red sox. Since this is a redsox forum and the incident involved the redsox, it's a relevant topic.

 

So now it is clear they suck both on and off the field

[Palodios]

Just another nothing story to get the fans more riled up about basically nothing. It's as, if not more, pathetic than the product on the field.

 

Agreed.Did any of these guys play with Pesky? Were any of them managed by Pesky? Heck, there are only a 5 players on the team that have been around longer than 2-3 years.

 

Let Pesky's family grieve, not people who were strangers to him. Not to mention that on Tuesday they had Johnny Pesky day at Fenway, where all the players wore his number, and got to celebrate his life in their own way-- playing baseball.

[mvp 78]

Pesky was a good but not great player. He was a mediocre manager. His number should never have been retired.

 

He was a great human being, but I don't see why people are getting butthurt over this.

 

Would have of the players even have met Pesky? He hasn't been around much the pastfew years.

[cbbosox]

Bob Sheppard was a public address announcer. Johnny Pesky was a retired number player/coach who was ever present with the players.

 

True- but Jeter has a tape of Shepard introducing him before his at-bats instead of the regular PA announcer.

[jacksonianmarch]

True- but Jeter has a tape of Shepard introducing him before his at-bats instead of the regular PA announcer.

 

That is true, but Pesky mentored Pedroia and a lot of other current players on the field. It is different

[DocHolliday]

This is inexcusable and shows that this is an issue that goes beyond poor performance and childish behavior. These fools do not deserve to be representatives of the Boston Red Sox, let alone any Major League team.

 

This ownership group talks about their financial commitment and their desire to do what's in the fans best interest. They will lose all of the respect I have for them if they do not fix this problem once and for all this offseason. It is their obligation as stewards of this franchise to field a team worthy of public support. This will be an expensive overhaul but it is their duty and complete fault for allowing things to get to this point.

 

No player should ever feel entitled to the point this group is at now.

[mvp 78]

That is true, but Pesky mentored Pedroia and a lot of other current players on the field. It is different

 

What's your definition of "a lot?"

 

The only current IF to have had Pesky hit fungos to would be Pedey. Ells has probably spent time with him. Ortiz went to the funeral. What other position player would have had a relationship with Pesky? He hasn't been around the past few years...

[SCM33]

Yeah, we all know the team is awful and we all know that most of the players are dicks. I'd like to see more serious discussion on how to fix it and less reiterating of why the players are terrible.

 

Well, thats the thing. If they get rid of the ringleaders, who are also being dicks, who are also under performing.....they are fixing the problem.

 

The problem with this team, is that the problems are painfully obvious to everyone except management. You know what they are.....I know what they are.....everyone except LL and JH it seems.

 

Until they fix the problem, many of us will have the same issues with the team day by day. It is everyones right to express how they feel.....it just sounds and looks like bashing because they haven't done a thing to fix it, and the problem has existed well over a year.

[Youk Of The Nation]

I understand, but my point is that not attending Pesky's funeral has nothing at all to do with the problems on the field or even in the clubhouse. No one should have to go if they don't want to and using this as yet another opportunity to vent frustration about players is unnecessary. This is a non-issue. They didn't go, they obviously didn't want to go. Let it be, it's their choice. Funerals are a different thing for many people, some people just don't like them.

[Gringo]

So athletes should be held to a higher standard because they get paid more money and have a job where they're on TV? So this somehow equates to their personal lives? That is such a crock, why does this even matter. You're just trying to cop-out to being judgmental.

 

You clearly don't understand the significance of what it means to wear the Red Sox uniform.

[a700hitter]

I think they were too busy with the team funeral that has been ongoing since April.

[Youk Of The Nation]

You clearly don't understand the significance of what it means to wear the Red Sox uniform.

 

And you do? Are you a Red Sox player?

[ibot2much]

And you do? Are you a Red Sox player?

 

A player? Why would that be the only person who would respect the tradition of being a member of the RS. Isn't that part of being a fan? I am sure that you joined in the happiness of celebrating the 100th year? The players were celebrated as PART of that day, but the stands were filled him fans and many more saw it in TV. Wearing the RS uniform has always been seen as pretty special ...and you are questioning that?

 

In regard to some previous points made, I didn't expect the entire team to march in a procession like a Boy Scout group marching in their town's Memorial Day Parade. And some people were correct that all the players did not have a real connection to JP and maybe they would be given a pass. But I am sure there would be another 5 or so players for whom there might be expectations that they show up out of RESPECT to JP and the Sox.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Im questioning the people here who seem to think that they know exactly why the players didn't show up. Because they are disrespectful, they don't care, they're spoiled brats or whatever. The truth is that if they didn't go, each of them had their reason. They obviously knew about it, so the fact that they chose not to attend means that they had a reason for not attending, and it's their own business what that reason was, whether it was because they don't like funerals or they wanted to watch reruns of CSI. They shouldn't be ripped on for not going.

[SoxSport]

Following this story a couple of days now, and it seems to me this is a classic example where the lack of a PR spokesperson really hurts this organization with the fans and the media. There is no single voice available to explain the real situation. Instead, a bunch of different stories from who knows where.

 

The incompetence on the Red Sox starts with the higher ups. The organizational structure was shattered last fall with the firing of the VP/GM and the manager, and changes in the medical/training staff. It was further complicated by a disastrous management search which fragmented the organization into a number of competing factions. At this point, it still isn't clear who is responsible for what.

 

The blamegame points to Luchino and Henry. Lucchino has to be removed from the running the team, and replaced by a VP/GM at Epstein's former level. Somebody with experience enough to make big decisions.PR needs to be overhauled--one voice is needed to the fans and media.

 

I don't think the current organization is capable of getting out of this mess they got themselves into.

Changes upstairs are needed. I hope Henry has brought in some outside consultants by now to deal with the chaos.

[lolwutok]

Im questioning the people here who seem to think that they know exactly why the players didn't show up. Because they are disrespectful, they don't care, they're spoiled brats or whatever. The truth is that if they didn't go, each of them had their reason. They obviously knew about it, so the fact that they chose not to attend means that they had a reason for not attending, and it's their own business what that reason was, whether it was because they don't like funerals or they wanted to watch reruns of CSI. They shouldn't be ripped on for not going.

 

I had to register just to call you a retard.

[Elktonnick]

Following this story a couple of days now, and it seems to me this is a classic example where the lack of a PR spokesperson really hurts this organization with the fans and the media. There is no single voice available to explain the real situation. Instead, a bunch of different stories from who knows where.

 

The incompetence on the Red Sox starts with the higher ups. The organizational structure was shattered last fall with the firing of the VP/GM and the manager, and changes in the medical/training staff. It was further complicated by a disastrous management search which fragmented the organization into a number of competing factions. At this point, it still isn't clear who is responsible for what.

 

The blamegame points to Luchino and Henry. Lucchino has to be removed from the running the team, and replaced by a VP/GM at Epstein's former level. Somebody with experience enough to make big decisions.PR needs to be overhauled--one voice is needed to the fans and media.

 

I don't think the current organization is capable of getting out of this mess they got themselves into.

Changes upstairs are needed. I hope Henry has brought in some outside consultants by now to deal with the chaos.

 

I thought more or less the same since last October. I have never seen an organization that so prizes its public image so inept at public relations.

[ibot2much]

Im questioning the people here who seem to think that they know exactly why the players didn't show up. Because they are disrespectful, they don't care, they're spoiled brats or whatever. The truth is that if they didn't go, each of them had their reason. They obviously knew about it, so the fact that they chose not to attend means that they had a reason for not attending, and it's their own business what that reason was, whether it was because they don't like funerals or they wanted to watch reruns of CSI. They shouldn't be ripped on for not going.

 

Seriously, who WANTS to go to a funeral? You go out of obligation, out of respect, out of friendship. There are as many reasons for going as not going.

 

4 went, the other 21 ( as you said) had their reasons for not going. We understand that. We also understand that everybody's actions are judged. You don't go to Aunt Martha's service, family members will have an opinion on it and maybe you will hear about it if you dare show up for the family Christmas. As a public figure, the judgement is on a larger scale and it is public.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Im questioning the people here who seem to think that they know exactly why the players didn't show up. Because they are disrespectful, they don't care, they're spoiled brats or whatever. The truth is that if they didn't go, each of them had their reason. They obviously knew about it, so the fact that they chose not to attend means that they had a reason for not attending, and it's their own business what that reason was, whether it was because they don't like funerals or they wanted to watch reruns of CSI. They shouldn't be ripped on for not going.

 

....to go have beers and chicken with Beckett apparently.

[Youk Of The Nation]

....to go have beers and chicken with Beckett apparently.

 

Yeah, and if that's what they wanted to do, that's what they wanted to do.

 

My great-uncle died last year. He was a great guy, I loved him like he was another grandfather. When he died, his funeral was set to be a full on Catholic religious-hoopla service. I personally did not want to sit through it, just to listen to a priest drone on about my uncle. Nor did I want to stare down at his completely stiff and artificially "beautified" corpse.

 

So I bought a bottle of his favorite liquor, drove out to the abandoned beach house he used to own on Long Island Sound, and poured the bottle into the sand near where he used to fish. Then I went to a bar, and if I recall correctly, I had chicken tenders and beer. Some people deal with grief in different ways. Why do we have to attack these guys for not participating in a ritual that they didn't want to participate in? If Theo Epsteins' kid (I don't know if he has kids) had their bar mitzvah, should the Christian players be assaulted for not attending because they didnt want to? Trying to impose your own moral values on the personal lives of players is just wrong.