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Francona calls beer ban a 'PR move'

Print | Comments () Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff February 27, 2012 09:09 AM

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By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona said on a radio show this morning that the team banning alcohol in the clubhouse was "a PR move."

Francona was on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" show when he was asked about the new rule. On Francona's watch, several Red Sox pitchers were drinking in the clubhouse during games last season.

"I think it's a PR move," Francona said. "I think if a guy wants a beer, he can probably get one. You know, it's kind of the old rule ... If your coach in football says no hard liquor on the plane — I mean, you serve beer and wine — somebody's going to sneak liquor on the plane. If you furnish a little bit, it almost keeps it to a minimum.

"I don't think it's a surprise that they put this in effect, or the fact they announced it. It's probably more of a PR move just because, you know, the Red Sox (took) such a beating at the end of the year."