Sox Manager

[moonslav59]

You would have to check with Kimmi or Moon about the classroom situation. I wouldn't know. I flunked algebra. But it wasn't the teacher's fault.

 

It's always the principal's fault.

[notin]

Bobby Valentine is another guy who is a convenient target. He took over a bad situation in Boston. He was brought in ostensibly to instill some discipline to a team that had gotten a bit out of hand , but when he tried to do so he received no backing . And when the team struggled , they unloaded ( and rightly so ) some of the top players. The team predictably tanked completely. Bobby V. was the wrong fit at the wrong time. They would have been better off keeping Tito. But Valentine knew how to manage. He was highly respected in Japan . And he managed the 2000 Mets to the N.L. pennant and a World Series vs. the Yankees. Also , he is truly one of the good guys in sports . Currently the Athletic Director at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, where he is setting up a Jackie Robinson scholarship. It might be time for folks to get off his case.

 

 

Yeah, but a lot of that is the exact same thing some people are saying about LaRussa.

 

Valentine got off completely wrong with the Sox with his old school approach that surprised the players and was absolutely not what they needed. That he was hired to “discipline” a bunch of adults is more a statement about how out of touch the higher ups were with what was wrong than anything else...

[notin]

You would have to check with Kimmi or Moon about the classroom situation. I wouldn't know. I flunked algebra. But it wasn't the teacher's fault.

 

Can’t ask moon. I distinctly said “her classroom.” No idea why, but I got all sexist about it. (Then again, my wife is a teacher. Also, she’s female.)

[Thunder]

Bobby Valentine is another guy who is a convenient target. He took over a bad situation in Boston. He was brought in ostensibly to instill some discipline to a team that had gotten a bit out of hand , but when he tried to do so he received no backing . And when the team struggled , they unloaded ( and rightly so ) some of the top players. The team predictably tanked completely. Bobby V. was the wrong fit at the wrong time. They would have been better off keeping Tito. But Valentine knew how to manage. He was highly respected in Japan . And he managed the 2000 Mets to the N.L. pennant and a World Series vs. the Yankees. Also , he is truly one of the good guys in sports . Currently the Athletic Director at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, where he is setting up a Jackie Robinson scholarship. It might be time for folks to get off his case.

 

The best thing he's done in Connecticut is open up a sports bar right next door to the Hartford-Springfield Airport. Otherwise, even we hate him here

[dgalehouse]

The best thing he's done in Connecticut is open up a sports bar right next door to the Hartford-Springfield Airport. Otherwise, even we hate him here

 

Okay . Forget all of the charity work he does. The sports bar alone gives him a lifetime pass with me.

[jad]

Looks to me that Reinsdorf's move has more to do with his fear of political stances that don't reflect his own. Like others who hold these anti-protest, flag-waving views (Roger Goodell, Jerra Jones, DT, Brett Favre), he has an absolutely flawless military-service record to back it up.

[dgalehouse]

Looks to me that Reinsdorf's move has more to do with his fear of political stances that don't reflect his own. Like others who hold these anti-protest, flag-waving views (Roger Goodell, Jerra Jones, DT, Brett Favre), he has an absolutely flawless military-service record to back it up.

 

Really ? Is this necessary?

[jad]

Really ? Is this necessary?

 

Well, nothing is 'necessary'. But his politics (including past statements on Kaepernik) was one of the issues raised by the reporters concerning whether he was in touch with younger players.

[Kimmi]

So , the bar is set pretty high for La Russa . He has to not only win the division , but the "crap shoot" that is the post season as well. Even then , the G.M. gets the credit. The White Sox have some potential , but they are not exactly the 2020 Dodgers or the 2018 Red Sox. Not even close. How many managers are held to that standard ?

 

Yes, I was a little surprised Kimmi said they'd have to win the Small Sample Crapshoot.

 

No, that's not what I said. I said that if the White Sox failed to contend, then it would be fair to question the choice of La Russa, and if they win the WS, then La Russa would be considered the right choice. I did not say that if the White Sox make it to the playoffs but fail to win the WS, that that makes La Russa the wrong choice. (There's a Geometry logic lesson in there somewhere. )

 

FTR, the same would hold true of any manager that the White Sox hired, including my beloved, analytically driven, and much younger Alex Cora.

[Thunder]

No, that's not what I said. I said that if the White Sox failed to contend, then it would be fair to question the choice of La Russa, and if they win the WS, then La Russa would be considered the right choice. I did not say that if the White Sox make it to the playoffs but fail to win the WS, that that makes La Russa the wrong choice. (There's a Geometry logic lesson in there somewhere. )

 

FTR, the same would hold true of any manager that the White Sox hired, including my beloved, analytically driven, and much younger Alex Cora.

 

Speaking of which, somebody please hire Cora so the Red Sox don't have to

[Kimmi]

La Russa has always related well to the players. The young ChiSox , who have yet to proves themselves , should listen to and respect a senior manager who has three rings , four manager of the year awards and is in the Hall of Fame . If they don't, shame on them and their parents.

 

Oh, I wholeheartedly agree with that. The question is, will they? Will La Russa be able to communicate to the players in such a way that the players will buy into what he is saying?

[dgalehouse]

Well, nothing is 'necessary'. But his politics (including past statements on Kaepernik) was one of the issues raised by the reporters concerning whether he was in touch with younger players.

 

Suit yourself , jad. I know it is hard for you to resist. I'm not getting involved . We have seen what happens when someone starts this stuff.

[Kimmi]

It's always the principal's fault.

 

It's almost always the parents' fault.

[Kimmi]

Speaking of which, somebody please hire Cora so the Red Sox don't have to

 

Our two main competitors, I think, the White Sox and the Tigers, are out.

[moonslav59]

It's almost always the parents' fault.

 

True dat.

 

BTW, I always give credit to principals when things go right.

 

I have a great one, now.

[Thunder]

Our two main competitors, I think, the White Sox and the Tigers, are out.

 

Damn, now we're the only ones left without a manager. This is very very bad news.

[dgalehouse]

I was ready to take responsibility for flunking algebra. But thanks. It was all the fault of the darn principal. I like that better.

[jad]

Suit yourself , jad. I know it is hard for you to resist. I'm not getting involved . We have seen what happens when someone starts this stuff.

 

Fair enough. When I read statements like those LaRussa made repeatedly questioning the 'sincerity' of anyone with opposing political views, you're right--it's hard for me to resist raising an objection. But I'll try.

 

(What I would really prefer to do is find the youtube of LaRussa going ballistic at some minor league players--[did he manage there? or was it spring training?] --because the pitcher didn't check for signs on a 3-0 pitch. "Couldn't you just look at the m*f*cking catcher for a m*f*cking sign just to pretend that you might throw a m*th*rf*cking curve ball? ..." Ah, those were the days!)

[dgalehouse]

Fair enough. When I read statements like those LaRussa made repeatedly questioning the 'sincerity' of anyone with opposing political views, you're right--it's hard for me to resist raising an objection. But I'll try.

 

(What I would really prefer to do is find the youtube of LaRussa going ballistic at some minor league players--[did he manage there? or was it spring training?] --because the pitcher didn't check for signs on a 3-0 pitch. "Couldn't you just look at the m*f*cking catcher for a m*f*cking sign just to pretend that you might throw a m*th*rf*cking curve ball? ..." Ah, those were the days!)

 

LaRussa loves animals. Maybe more than he loves people . Sometimes, that is understandable. Anyway, no problem. Have a nice day.

[a700hitter]

Watching a LaRussa managed game will no longer be as painful with the 3 batter limit rule.

[a700hitter]

The Red Sox popularity has cratered. People had no interest in the team from Day 1, before it was evident that they were a last place team. They should generate some interest by managing the team by interactive texts. The stadium fans control the action for 7 of the 9 innings and the TV audience gets 2 innings. It can all be done through the Ballpark App.

[Thunder]

The Red Sox popularity has cratered. People had no interest in the team from Day 1, before it was evident that they were a last place team. They should generate some interest by managing the team by interactive texts. The stadium fans control the action for 7 of the 9 innings and the TV audience gets 2 innings. It can all be done through the Ballpark App.

 

Now I would really love to catch a game with you

[a700hitter]

Now I would really love to catch a game with you

Oh, be honest. You are suffering from pandemic burnout and would love to catch a game with anyone. LOL!!

[Thunder]

Oh, be honest. You are suffering from pandemic burnout and would love to catch a game with anyone. LOL!!

 

Not MVP

[mvp 78]

Not MVP

 

I share my snacks. A700 definitely doesn’t.

[Bellhorn04]

Merloni thinks Bloom doesn't want Cora, and the meeting with him was mostly a professional courtesy.

[Elktonnick]

Merloni thinks Bloom doesn't want Cora, and the meeting with him was mostly a professional courtesy.

 

The fact that Boston FO people flew to Puerto Rico to interview Cora strikes me as more than professional courtesy. It appears that Boston may be more interested in Cora than Cora is interested in Boston. Being strictly pragmatic, Cora knows he will manage again. He must have questions about managing next year anywhere. He probably can easily get a broadcast job but no team can guarantee that 2021 will not be played under some type of quarantine regime. If your situation is pleasant in Puerto Rico with your family do you really want to be separated from them for an entire baseball season if there is another quarantine regime and no one can assure anyone that there won't be. So there may be a number of non baseball reasons that Boston either doesn't re hire Cora or that Cora doesn't want to manage anywhere until this covid thing has passed.

[mvp 78]

The fact that Boston FO people flew to Puerto Rico to interview Cora strikes me as more than professional courtesy. It appears that Boston may be more interested in Cora than Cora is interested in Boston. Being strictly pragmatic, Cora knows he will manage again. He must have questions about managing next year anywhere. He probably can easily get a broadcast job but no team can guarantee that 2021 will not be played under some type of quarantine regime. If your situation is pleasant in Puerto Rico with your family do you really want to be separated from them for an entire baseball season if there is another quarantine regime and no one can assure anyone that there won't be. So there may be a number of non baseball reasons that Boston either doesn't re hire Cora or that Cora doesn't want to manage anywhere until this covid thing has passed.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the Sox want Cora more than Cora wants the Sox.

[Thunder]

I share my snacks. A700 definitely doesn’t.

 

Even before COVID I thought that was unsanitary

[Thunder]

The fact that Boston FO people flew to Puerto Rico to interview Cora strikes me as more than professional courtesy. It appears that Boston may be more interested in Cora than Cora is interested in Boston. Being strictly pragmatic, Cora knows he will manage again. He must have questions about managing next year anywhere. He probably can easily get a broadcast job but no team can guarantee that 2021 will not be played under some type of quarantine regime. If your situation is pleasant in Puerto Rico with your family do you really want to be separated from them for an entire baseball season if there is another quarantine regime and no one can assure anyone that there won't be. So there may be a number of non baseball reasons that Boston either doesn't re hire Cora or that Cora doesn't want to manage anywhere until this covid thing has passed.

 

Spot on observation Elk. Makes a lot of sense. Most broadcasters will likely still be broadcasting from home next year anyway. From what I've seen so far, it really does seem like the Sox are salivating over him, and that it's a one-sided enamoration