Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Boston Gives John Farrell the Boot

Two days removed from steering the Red Sox to a second in two-years first-round playoff appearance/knockout, and four years removed from a World Series win, Boston hath now removed its manager John Farrell. Whest I say Boston, I mean Boston. This is a move orchestrated as much by Red Sox Nation as by Red Sox management. Operation #FireFarrell is a success.
This public perception and out-cry I assume was met at least somewhat pleasurably by GM Dave Dombrowski. Sir prolly couldn't fire the inherited Farrel after his own 2016 hiring. The skipper was fresh off that Fall Classic victory and too, mired in a battle with stage 1 Lymphoma (which he kicked, thankfully). Then came them post-season trips. But now, with a second in a row play-off fizzle, tho neither due to Farrell's managing, we will soon get to see a 'Dombrowski guy' in the dugout.

So the Sox are hiring but what of Dobrowski's other hirings -- his other signings/dealings? On a scale a' bust- to boom+ --  Tyler Thornberg: bust-. Drew Pomeranz: bust+. Craig Kimbrel: boom. Brad Ziegler: boom-. Chris Sale: boom+. David Price: read on. A real mixed bag, but ain't every bag so? Of note, he does show a predisposition toward putting together top-heavy teams dating back to his Detroit Tigers stint -- which won after losing then fell back to greater losses than prior. This iteration features Dustin Pedroia atop: read on.

Pedroia, whom was tagged to replace David Ortiz as team-leader, has proved himself unfit to do-so. He whom ended a May post-game interview with, "Can I go home now?" He whom threw his team-mates under the team-bus in a B'more bean-ball exchange. He whom too did bupkis do dissuade David Price from his now infamous rantings toward Dennis Eckersley.

So perchance no small part a' this is a somewhat pleasurable relief for Farrel, as well. Next year regardless of skipper, it shall be Dombrowski's team. This move don't solve a thing, this firing of a vastly successful and potential Hall of Fame manager -- but it just might bring to light the actual issue in Bean-town. 

"With My Pickle" Kaplowitz Radio: October 11, 2017