Boston Red Sox managerial merry-go-round from last decade
By Rick McNair
A notable addition to the professional career as a player for John Farrell is two Tommy John Surgeries and a 36-46 record as a pitcher. What Farrell lacked on the mound did not restrict his advancement once he chose the bench over the mound.
Farrell served as Red Sox pitching coach for his close friend Francona for several seasons before moving on to the manager’s hot seat in Toronto. Farrell returned to Boston after the Valentine fiasco to attempt to resuscitate a dysfunctional team. Under Farrell’s leadership, the Red Sox captured another flag taking the 2013 World Series. Then it fell apart.
In 2014 a hangover from the series manifested itself in the offense and the Red Sox plummeted faster than a runaway mine elevator. From first to worst became the symbolic slogan for the disgruntled within Red Sox Nation. Would 2015 improve?
For both Farrell and the team, 2015 was another year to wallow in misery as the Red Sox again managed to secure the bottom rung of the American League East. And for Farrell, it was health as he had to leave the team for treatment of lymphoma. If there was any good news for Farrell it was he was set to return for 2016.
The two seasons – 2016 and 2017 – saw the Red Sox win the AL East back-to-back with identical 93-69 records. The problem for Farrell is the identical didn’t stop there, but the Red Sox managed back-to-back departures in the first round. The other specter is the Red Sox now had Dave Dombroski running the show and Farrell was a holdover.
Farrell was gone after 2017 as a manager. Just why? There were mitigating circumstances with injuries and rare is the team and manager that does not have to push forward despite that, but the usual flap about clubhouse issues surfaced especially with the departure of David Ortiz as a stabilizing force. The public antics of David Price, a beanball war with the O’s, and some sign-stealing just gave an excuse to push the fire button and DD most certainly did.