Offering his opinion of Bobby Valentine’s ban on alcohol in the clubhouse and on team return flights to Boston, Tito Francona said:
"“I think it’s a PR move…”"
Really Tito? Really?
“I think if a guy wants a beer, he can probably get one. You know, it’s kind of the old rule …”
Really Tito? Really?
“If your coach in football says no hard liquor on the plane — I mean, you serve beer and wine — somebody’s going to sneak liquor on the plane. If you furnish a little bit, it almost keeps it to a minimum.”
Really Tito?
So, allowing the entire team to drink on a flight will cut down on the guys who will sneak it on and result in a REDUCTION of inebriated behavior?
Too bad you didn’t make a general announcement to the entire team that it was OK for ALL of them to retire to the clubhouse during games.
“I don’t think it’s a surprise that they put this in effect, or the fact they announced it. It’s probably more of a PR move just because, you know, the Red Sox (took) such a beating at the end of the year.”
Really Tito? And who was in charge of the team that took such a beating? Who was the manager of the team that started the month leading MLB in wins and ended it out of the playoffs? But, thanks for the advice.
How did that manager’s job with the Cubs work out for you?
Oh, you are correct, Mr. Francona, the new policy will certainly improve “public relations” for the team–the way the fans perceive the team’s status and the players’ behavior–but, it is more than Bobby just putting a smear of lipstick on your old pig: it’s a whole different animal.
If this new animal was a horse, it would not be malingering in its stall, munching on hay, slurping mead, and playing games, while the race is in the final turn to the clubhouse. And, this new horse has a rider in the saddle, who has a grip in the reins and has a map and actually gives a shit.
If this is merely a “PR” tactic, then how was the public relating to the team last September, when it was being ridden by a headless horseman?
As Peter Gammons said: “The ban on beer is an outward sign of what Valentine intends to be an inward grace. It is about discipline and the way Valentine expects the team to carry itself, but it is nothing that unusual.”
No, Mr. Francona, this is not like serving weak green tea to get the Red Sox out of a comatose state; this is like “Wake up and smell the dark roast!!!” [three exclamation points]
You see, Tito, this new rule is just one example of bobby Valentine’s larger, consistent philosophy that demands that the players, who are so well compensated, show up for their job. This policy is about responsibility and integrity. This new policy is about “leadership.”
Look it up.
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