Saturday, October 08, 2005
Turning the page...
this is what I meant about reaching the end of a good book... No matter what the ending, you're sorry that it's over. The fun was the journey to the conclusion, and now that the sox are done for the season we must find some other diversion until the sequel comes out.
this is what I meant about hitching a ride on some other train. I feel like it's easier to do this year. I knew which train to head toward before our own chugged it's last length, when in the past I might be so blinded by the goals of my own trip as to not see the appeal of others.
Funny thing about Baseball, even when it's over, it's never really over. The next three and a half months are crucial to the success of the following nine. We in Red Sox Nation may be somewhat content, fattened by the spoils of last year and happy to have at least garnered an invitation to the banquet, even if it didn't last. It feels good to sit back and relax, drink and be merry, and cheer on the efforts of others for once... we know we'll be back in the dance next year, and perhaps we'll fare better; our struggles this season gave us, at the very least, a glimpse of the future, and the future is bright.
Or is it?
Bright as it may be, the torch could be blown out this month. The fire of our future is controlled by a front office we can take pride in... a braintrust of young blood and highly-esteemed consultants. The fuel - controlled by contract. A contract which is about to expire. This makes our future tenuous. We the Nation know what ought to be done, but we are not making the decisions here. And now, what I thought was a silly thing to worry about three years ago, the issue of ownership loyalties rears it's ugly head. No, I'm not talking about the fugliness of our owners, but now that you mention it... Fah, I just wish I could trust them. Do I worry when Bill Belichick's contract comes up? No, because I trust Bob Kraft. He made his purchase for the love of the team, not the love of money.
This Henry-Werner group is in it for the cash, and we've known that from the beginning, and they require a rather significant amount of control. Okay, they're not like king georgie pulling the marionette strings of poor cashman, but still they manage to create roadblocks at times (i.e. this summer's trading fiasco with Colorado). They're a smart bunch, and we don't mind it so much when it's for the purpose of winning... but I'm not so sure that's their ultimate goal, which is where the trust issue comes in. Clearly they care about the value of their property, but how long do they plan to own it? Will they pay Theo what he deserves, or will they lose Epstein and Byrnes to save a million or so a year by handing the reigns over to another young whipper-snapper willing to work for pennies for the opportunity to prove himself. Said to be the next in line, Peter Woodfork of Swampscott would likely give them the hometown discount to boot. With Lucchino at the helm as the Lord overseer, I would not put this past them.
The road ahead looked smooth, but right now we're trying to see it through a dense fog, and I'll be nervous until it has lifted.
this is what I meant about hitching a ride on some other train. I feel like it's easier to do this year. I knew which train to head toward before our own chugged it's last length, when in the past I might be so blinded by the goals of my own trip as to not see the appeal of others.
Funny thing about Baseball, even when it's over, it's never really over. The next three and a half months are crucial to the success of the following nine. We in Red Sox Nation may be somewhat content, fattened by the spoils of last year and happy to have at least garnered an invitation to the banquet, even if it didn't last. It feels good to sit back and relax, drink and be merry, and cheer on the efforts of others for once... we know we'll be back in the dance next year, and perhaps we'll fare better; our struggles this season gave us, at the very least, a glimpse of the future, and the future is bright.
Or is it?
Bright as it may be, the torch could be blown out this month. The fire of our future is controlled by a front office we can take pride in... a braintrust of young blood and highly-esteemed consultants. The fuel - controlled by contract. A contract which is about to expire. This makes our future tenuous. We the Nation know what ought to be done, but we are not making the decisions here. And now, what I thought was a silly thing to worry about three years ago, the issue of ownership loyalties rears it's ugly head. No, I'm not talking about the fugliness of our owners, but now that you mention it... Fah, I just wish I could trust them. Do I worry when Bill Belichick's contract comes up? No, because I trust Bob Kraft. He made his purchase for the love of the team, not the love of money.
This Henry-Werner group is in it for the cash, and we've known that from the beginning, and they require a rather significant amount of control. Okay, they're not like king georgie pulling the marionette strings of poor cashman, but still they manage to create roadblocks at times (i.e. this summer's trading fiasco with Colorado). They're a smart bunch, and we don't mind it so much when it's for the purpose of winning... but I'm not so sure that's their ultimate goal, which is where the trust issue comes in. Clearly they care about the value of their property, but how long do they plan to own it? Will they pay Theo what he deserves, or will they lose Epstein and Byrnes to save a million or so a year by handing the reigns over to another young whipper-snapper willing to work for pennies for the opportunity to prove himself. Said to be the next in line, Peter Woodfork of Swampscott would likely give them the hometown discount to boot. With Lucchino at the helm as the Lord overseer, I would not put this past them.
The road ahead looked smooth, but right now we're trying to see it through a dense fog, and I'll be nervous until it has lifted.
# posted by Rebecca @ 11:39 AM 
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There are many people in Connecticut who trust Kraft about as far as they can throw him. Bad example, but even he would not banish the best coach in the NFL. So to compare him with Sox ownership doesn't float. But, on the other hand, I completely agree with you that Red Sox ownership is driven by power, greed, and the almighty dollar, and NOT in that order. In some respects, especially Lucky Luchino, they are not to be trusted. I see no earthly reason with any sense of logic to get rid of Theo. We shouldn't even have to be concerned with the matter. And yet, we do have to be concerned. The on-field problems should be first and foremost in ownership's minds. FIX THE GAPING HOLES. Reb, nice work at the design.
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