The Red Sox need a Joe Frazier
By Editorial Staff
The passing of Smokin Joe Frazier on Monday got me thinking. How many of you under the age of 40 even know who Joe Frazier was. One word, “Gladiator,” sums it up perfectly. This was a man who never quit anything. He would face any opponent on any night and would fight to the death. Which is exactly what he almost did when he fought Muhammad Ali in Manila. The “Thrilla in Manila” as it is now famously dubbed was the greatest boxing match of all time. The fight took place in 100 degree heat. Frazier gave it everything he had, round after round, pounded by Ali from the opening bell. As the later rounds came, his legs went weak, then both eyes were nearly shut closed, he arms unable defend himself or throw a punch. But he kept going forward. Even when his trainer, Eddie Futch threw in the towel just before the last round. “I want him, Boss,” Frazier screamed but his manger wouldn’t allow the fight to go on. Both fighters proclaimed that fight was the closest thing to death they have ever felt. What does this have to do with Red Sox baseball? Maybe nothing, then again maybe everything.
Sports fans and media personalities are quick to throw our superlatives like, incredible, tremendous and the best. But, how many athletes can you say are true gladiators? I don’t mean the best player in their sport, I mean the player who never quits, never throws caution in the wind. The player willing to risk life and limb just to win. I can only think of a few. The first person that comes to mind is Brett Favre. Did you ever see the man give up? He may have done things that caused his team to lose, but when his body was beaten and battered , did he ever quit?
In 1988, Kirk Gibson’s legs were so damaged that he could barely walk. Yet, he told his manager, Tommy Lasorda that he had one good swing in him if they needed him during the 1988 World Series. The rest is history as the gimpy kneed Gibson limped to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning with his team trailing 4-3 with two outs. You thought Gibson was going to fall down when he swung at strike two. Then the unbelievable, Gibson took a Dennis Eckersley pitch out of the park for an incredible 5-4 win. That win catapulted the Dodgers to the World Championship that year. Gladiator!
Most people will consider Cal Ripken and his consecutive game streak as being gladiator like. His record 2,632 straight games spanned over seventeen seasons, from May 30, 1982, to September 20, 1998. Gladiator!
What about our own Curt Schilling? I consider him the greatest Red Sox gladiator of all time. The infamous “Bloody Sock.” He ankle injured so badly that they had to stabilize the tendon repeatedly through out game 6 of the 2004 ALCS against the Yankees. A game the Red Sox had to win, his sock soaked with blood as he beat the Yankees to force a deciding game 7. Gladiator!
Fast forward to the Red Sox of today. The passing of Smokin’ Joe made me think, who on this team or more specifically this pitching staff would you consider to be a gladiator? Easy answer, no one. Did Josh Beckett, Jon Lester or John Lackey ever go to terry Francona and say, ”Hey coach, if you need one out or one inning, I’m there for you?” Instead what we have heard this off season is that they drank on off days. That they were always prepared to take the mound on that fifth day. When the team was spiraling downward in September, did it ever cross their minds that maybe every 5th day wasn’t enough? I’m not saying that they needed to pitch everyday in September? But, we played Tampa Bay seven times the last two weeks of the season. The same Tampa Bay Rays that were gaining on us each day. You’re going to tell me that not one of them could have stepped up? One out or one inning could have made the difference this year.
Do you think Joe Frazier, Brett Favre, Kirk Gibson, Cal Ripken or Curt Schilling would have just sat their and let the season slip away? No way, No how, Never.
Then again, I wonder if they even knew who Joe Frazier was. He was something they are not, a Gladiator. R.I.P Smokin’ Joe.
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