Comments on: We’re in a Tight Spot

By: Simone

Simone — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:47:37 +0000

I need some clarification: Bobby did not get to choose his own coaching staff?

Regardless, I don’t see how any of this can be his fault. This team was a disaster last season and as result Francona was fired. If the Rex Sox ownership is serious about changing team’s culture, then it not Bobby who has go, it is the coaching staff and the most problematic players at the end of the season.

Also, I actually don’t think that the Red Sox are that talented. They are the same flawed team from last season. I feel the same way about the Yankees.

By: RIYank

RIYank — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:51:04 +0000

I could say a whole lot about this, but here’s my short take:

1. There is definitely friction between Valentine and (some) players, but it’s hard not to hold the players more responsible for this than Bobby.

2. He’s actually been a pretty good manager so far.

3. I think it’s just a bit below even odds that the Red Sox make the playoffs. But remember, getting a Wild Card spot is much worse now than it used to be.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:15:30 +0000

I totally agree Jon. Though part of me feels a little sorry for Bobby V., the other parts quickly remind that first part how awful it would be if they were in first place. So the party of the first part is wrong. The worse the Sox are, the less the Yanks have to worry about them.

By: Jon DeRosa

Jon DeRosa — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:00:46 +0000

All of this is true, but imagine for a second the wave of insufferable preening and posing that is coming when the Sox get on a roll and get into the playoffs.

(Note I said “when” and not “if” – I’ll never be guilty of underestimating the Red Sox)

By: garydsimms

garydsimms — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:48:51 +0000

I’m just glad that the Nats passed on him last summer when Riggleman quit.

By: RagingTartabull

RagingTartabull — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:33:02 +0000

I wasn’t a fan of this hiring from a Red Sox perspective when it happened, but I gotta say there is a little part of me that kinda feels for Bobby here.

You have a team that, yes is dealing with a ton of injuries, but with one of the highest payrolls in baseball and a ton of talent on the field every night is sitting at 43-43 and is less than a year removed from the worst September collapse in history. The fact that there are people on this roster who think they’re in the position to point fingers at the manager is almost comical.

You had the manager you loved…you got him fired. Now you have this, time to learn to live with it.

By: Alex Belth

Alex Belth — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:42:19 +0000

The ’78 Yanks were a disaster too. But they had talent and they got it together. The Sox have some great players. I wonder if they’d fire Bobby V in August? I could see the Sox making a run and getting the wildcard or I could see them finishing in fourth place. Which one of these?

By: ms october

ms october — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:29:35 +0000

this is one of those personnel decisions/hires that i just don’t see how it could have gone any other way but how it seems to be going.
between the boston media, the massholes, the prickly players, hold over coaches from francona, general francona loyalty, a new/split front office, it was inevitable for someone like bobby v to explode the situation.
i don’t think it would have been a good scenario for almost anyone, but especially not someone who is as decisive as bobby v.
going to be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out.