This is the time of year when rumors are swirling around baseball and moves are being made behind closed doors. Many of the top tier free agents are being hotly pursued by multiple teams and are looking to leverage offers and get the most years and dollars out of their new contracts. We saw Victor Martinez sign a 4-year, $50 million deal with the Detroit Tigers, which took the Tigers outbidding at least 3 other teams. The markets for Adrian Beltre, Carl Crawford, Jayson Werth and Cliff Lee will likely be as competitive, if not more, creating a frenzy of activity in the MLB. Thanksgiving however, is not about the bidding wars or the massive overinflated salaries, but rather is a chance to step back and think about all the things we are thankful for with the Boston Red Sox.
The first and most important thing I am thankful for is the Boston Red Sox ownership and management. It is difficult to find a smarter and more invested group of executives across baseball. It starts with the owner, John Henry, who has maintained the history and sense of pride within the Sox organization as well as instilled a culture of success within the fan base. His left-hand men, President and CEO Larry Lucchino and Chairman Tom Werner, have continued to grow Fenway Park without losing the character of the venue. Those 3 guys have continued to expand their business, New England Sports Ventures, without sacrificing their investment of time and money with the Red Sox.
Moving into the front office of the Red Sox, the buck starts and stops with Theo Epstein. The GM for the Sox has worked his butt off since his hiring, exactly 8 years ago this Thanksgiving. He was hired as the youngest GM in the history of baseball and has not only made the Sox a competitive team each and every year, but has put the right pieces in place to win 2 World Series Championships in the last half-a-dozen years. He has built the farm system and made some tough decisions and stands by those choices. I have not agreed with all the decisions and some have not panned out, but his track record is as strong as any other GM in the game. Every move is a risk, it is about maximizing the likelihood the move will be fruitful. His success has led to higher and higher expectations, making his job more difficult, but he has not shy’d away from the pressure.
As strong as the executive leadership is for a club, it is equally important to have a great manager. The manager has to command respect and be able to control his team and the dynamic of his players. Terry Francona has been nothing short of exceptional since taking the Sox job in 2004 and breaking the curse to bring home a title to the fans in Boston. Like Theo, not every decision he makes I agree with, but one thing I can not disagree with is his success. Through adversity and injuries, Francona makes confident personnel decisions and has enjoyed the positive results. He goes with the players he trusts in big situations and can’t be faulted for his consistent approach. I hope Tito remains with the Red Sox until he retires, because he is a balanced coach who is respected by his players.
Another thing I am grateful for I just mentioned above: 2 World Series titles. After an 86-year drought, the combination of Terry Francona and Theo Epstein brought an incredible title to the patient fan base of the Boston Red Sox. It didn’t end there as the same combo of guys brought home the 2nd title within a short span of time in 2007, creating an environment of winning at the highest level. Since 2002, the Red Sox have made the playoffs 6 times and when you consider the talent in the AL East, that is a remarkable feat. The Sox have to play the toughest teams in baseball on a nightly basis, making their success even more impressive. As a fan of a professional team, winning is the ultimate goal and when a team like the Red Sox can win 90+ games each season, what more can you ask?
Finally, on a personal note, I am thankful for all of you, the readers. I jumped into the blogging world over a year ago as a fun hobby to put my thoughts on paper (figuratively). I have enjoyed every minute of it and that is thanks to all the great readers who comment on my posts and send me emails. I am always up for a debate and love to be challenged, so interacting with you guys is why I continue to write. Keep the comments coming. Whether you agree, disagree, or are undecided, your opinion matters and may stir a thought or two in someone else. BoSox Injection has grown exponentially over the past year and shortly, we will be announcing an added voice to the blog. As sappy as it is, thank you for everything. I am committed to making sure you have the best news and information on a consistent basis. We all share a common and amazing bond, a love for the Boston Red Sox.
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