Muggah

He no doubt deserves and F, 700. But I'm feeling generous so I went with the D just because Lackey's not here.

He can't help it. He's one of those hardcore apologists who's perfectly content to come off looking like a complete dope just so long as he doesn't have to admit any fault with his team.

Lots of wishful thinking there, Bob. Be careful!! LOL

I posted a fact. You don't like that fact, so you equate it to the Easter Bunny. Do you have any idea how stupid you sound? Any idea at all? Dear god.

See, that's how you swabs rationalize things away when you have no case other than wishful thinking. "Buchholts was on pace to throw around 185 until he got a freaky injury..."The fact is he didn't get to 185, and he never has. And it wasn't a 'freaky' injury like you call it, it was an injury from the year before. And then you say Beckett has thrown 190+ four out of six years---so what, and what about the other two? And are you aware that Beckett's averaged about 156 in even numbered years over his whole career? Of course you're not, because that doesn't fit your la-la land outlook. You people are comical, you really are.

You're right, Fred. That D+ is generous. Very generous. When local radio stations are playing "Is it Ben or Theo" with audio clips and most people can't tell difference I'd say the guy's a got a severe identity crisis right off the bat. Add to that the fact that 80-90% of the fanbase isn't convinced yet that he's simply not just a hand puppet for Larry, and it sets him back even further in the court of public opinion. For this alone it's silly for anyone to give him anything higher than a D. But I will say this. Forcing Lackey to go under the knife was a great move, and it's got all the earmarks of a sleazy Blunder move. Whether or not it was Ben's brainchild or something passed along to him by Blunder is irrelevant. Just because Ben was involved brings his grade up from F to D in my book.

It makes sense for him on a lot of levels. Actually a no-brainer when you look at his situation and what he's trying to do.

He may want to consider calling the offices of Dane M. Shulman.

Heard Daniel Bard with D&C this morning from JetBlue. He's one of the most refreshing personalities on this club. I hope everything works out well for him.

With Middlebrooks waiting in the wings this will undoubtedly be Kevin's last year in Boston. And if he plays over 100 games this year everyone should look at it as a bonus. We've watched him grow old unusually fast, and that's perhaps in part to his weight, like you say, but also in his failure to condition himself properly. His other issues will be a factor in him not returning as well.

Despite the bleak outlook for this season there's always a little bounce in everyone's step when camp begins. If you're a fan of the game, how could you feel otherwise?

On face value, SoxSport, that is true, and nobody---I repeat, nobody--is happier about Blunder being gone than yours truly. But in the bigger picture the absolute first priority of this franchise, after becoming a national laughingstock last Sept., should be to try to restore some dignity to the organization. Not only haven't they done that with the way they've handled this situation, but they have further solidified their status as a first class joke. They cold not have handled this situation worse, and they're once again the running joke of the sports world.

One man's trash is another man's treasure---you've never heard that? IMO Blunder sucks at what he does--really badly. But if the Cubs think otherwise, which they obviously do, then why shouldn't they pay top dollar? He was under contract here for 2012. At the very least Larry should have threatened to have him sit out the season and watch, at which point the Cubs would have had to have gone in a another direction, without their 'alleged' savior? hahaha... Horrible, horrible job by Lucchino and Cherington. Amateurish at best. For whatever reasons, the corporate end of this franchise has bottomed out. It should be clear to everyone that not a single one of them belongs in the jobs they're currently doing. I wouldn't hire this clueless bunch to take out my trash.

We waited 100 days for this guy? Boy did Larry botch this one.

It's all good, my friend. And to be honest, like you, I have adjusted my emotions over the years, which is why, if you notice, I have set the bar very low for this season. I'm fully expecting another 3rd place finish. I just think it's too much to ask to fix this plethora of problems Francona and Blunder have left in their wake overnight. But that doesn't mean I'm willing to let Henry & Co. skate when they do foolish things. I think we can all agree that the level of dysfunction in this hierarchy of this organization has been allowed to get out of control. And IMO it's our responsibility as fans to let them know so. The way they conduct business currently is a far cry from the dignified professionalism they brought to the table when they first came in. What the reasons are for this? Who knows, but as consumers, and as fans who ultimately pay a large percentage of their hefty revenues, we are remiss, IMO, if we don't let them know we're not happy with the product they're delivering. At some point there's got to be some accountability, and if that means it's time for them to say "Thanks for the memories" and sell the team, so be it. But the way they're currently operating (and have been for the past three years) obviously isn't working for anyone. And they need to hear about it. Thanks for taking the time. Great conversation.

Word is Manny's doing it as a life lesson for his kids. Who knows. One thing's for sure, I never put anything past Manny. For all we know he shows up and rakes. Stranger things have happened. I wish him luck.

No need to get your panties in a bunch. You're a pollyanna, I am not. I enjoy the hell out of it when they win, but likewise when incompetence and amateurism within their ranks rears its ugly head--well I'm all about calling them out on that, too. IMO, it is to a large degree that cheerleaders like you have allowed this ownership group to skate, free of criticism, over the past four seasons due to this never ending honeymoon period you've extended them because of the two WCSs--and look what it's gotten you---a 3rd place team. Nice job. Thanks a million. Sorry to disappoint you, that's not the way I roll. I take every season as it comes and demand excellence from a team with the resources this one has. If that bothers you...too friggin' bad.

"The Boston media is infamous for lighting guys on fire as they head out of town. I don't know why the media does this." We've been over this. The vast majority of smear campaigns aimed at players leaving town are generated from the Sox FO and ownership. Stop blaming the media for it. If you have a question as to why this FO and ownership group continuously engages in such petty and unprofessional behavior---ask them.