[5] Agreed that these descriptions are true to my general impressions. The Ortiz thing about him talking big only when he’s performing is unsurprising.

[0] Is that from “Talk Radio”? Love that film.

The most interesting thing to me about all of this is that the described uber-douchiness of these folks (e.g., Beckett) is exactly how they always seemed to me as people. As we used to say down south, Like a school in the summertime, you ain’t got no class. My guess is that it’s no coincidence the fans are largely the same. At least now that it’s public, these guys will be treated appropriately by teammates and management.

“During the postseason, baseball people around the game have commented on how obvious the Red Sox dysfunction was on the field. The captain, Jason Varitek, for years has been the most immodest player in the clubhouse, evidenced over the past few seasons first by wearing the letter “C” on his chest to signal his captaincy (was he Ray Bourque or a baseball player?) and then by not voluntarily relinquishing it once he ceased to be a regular player. Professional ballplayers take their leadership cues from everyday players, and Varitek hasn’t been one since 2008.

Varitek was a key member of their title run, but was more concerned with himself reaching the end of his career than his team. Being a captain means leading. It doesn’t mean refusing to address serious issues on a fractured team.”

http://tinyurl.com/6l23dax

A: They’ve never been those guys. Those guys were accessory leaders. And Jason was one of those guys who would ask me to have a meeting. Here’s what, we need to do this. He was not comfortable for the most part standing up and talking every night.

Then tell me what the “C” on his jersey is supposed to stand for. ‘Cuz it sure as hell doesn’t stand for “captain.”

If you’re not a speechmaker, that’s okay. We’re led to believe Jeter isn’t either. But a leader finds a way.