Since I just started writing for this page, I haven’t had the chance to give my thoughts on John Farrell being hired as the new Red Sox manager. I have a web show (link below) in which I talk about the move but for my new audience I have yet to say anything about the hire.
Let me say that the Farrell hiring, if nothing else, is a breath of fresh air after experiencing the tornado that blew through Boston in 2012 named Bobby Valentine. Valentine was a disaster waiting to happen and it all came true and the results speak for themselves.
Sep 27, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Farrell (52) looks on against the New York Yankees at the Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays beat the Yankees 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
We can debate the pros and cons about whether Farrell is a good hire (I think he is) and whether he is a good game manager forever. But the bottom line is the Red Sox are a normal team again. They have a rational, level headed manager who doesn’t think he’s the smartest guy in the room. He commands the respect of some of the key players on this roster from his time here as pitching coach and when you are trying to turn around a 69-win disaster that’s a good start.
I don’t know Farrell personally but from what I see he looks like he commands a room quite well. Say what you want, but today’s modern athletes need a leader of men if they are to succeed. I think we’ve seen enough evidence in sports that when players take over the locker room chaos ensues.
Players need to know who’s in charge so they can focus on going out and playing. There’s been too little of that idea in Boston since the end of August 2011 and Farrell should bring the team the leadership it so desperately needs.
Oct 23, 2012; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox new manager John Farrell talks to the media during a press conference at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Farrell learned under Terry Francona about what does and does not work in the clubhouse and on the field. Expect him to use those lessons. If he’s half the manager Francona was, the Sox will be in good shape in the manager’s office for the foreseeable future. And that matters as they try to find their way back.
Check out the link below for my thoughts on the move when it happened.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwyQAXBckZk&list=UUnIPUCx3emTpFm-EuTfYkKw&index=8