Boston Red Sox: Four “turkeys” for Thanksgiving

May 4, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; A general view of Fenway Park during the third inning of the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Red Sox have had more than their share of “turkeys” over the years and many a fan would gladly – on occasion – give them “the bird.”

On Thanksgiving Day, we enjoy the cornerstone of celebration with our family – the Turkey. Tom Turkey was – if Ben Franklin had his way, the national bird and thus relegating the majestic eagle to second class bird citizen. The Boston Red Sox have had more than their share of “turkeys” over the years and many a fan would gladly – on occasion – give them “the bird.”

Sometimes it is just the bizarre that sets them apart such as Gene Conley and Pumpsie Green walking off the team bus in the Bronx and disappearing for three days. But the one or two off the reservation issues are just part of a long season and what I look for is a pattern of behavior. Beer and Chicken? Same thing – a temporary discretion. Also, the medical issues should be firmly ignored such as Roger Moret and Jim Piersall.

Baseball players are no different from any other cross-section of society only more notable. Behaviors that are appalling are publicized or generally well-known within the baseball circles. On occasion, a player will be released or traded over the fact that a manager and/or GM would rather top their meal with ground glass than spend another day babysitting and generating excuses.

So three of the memorable ones stand out for me. They also happen to be just about the brightest of stars in the Red Sox galaxy, but I also toss in one that is not to show that great talent can have bad behaviors ignored and mediocre talent will not.