After two years, 188 regular season wins, and a trip to the American League Championship Series, the Red Sox have parted ways with Grady Little. Are the Sox making the right move? Who should get his job?

Page 15

I didn't plan on writing on this board but some of these comments are so unvelievably ignorant that I feel forced to. I live in upstate New York and do not have the opportunity to watch the games on NESN every night. However, in the nationally televised games and the times that they play the Yankees I don't miss a second of any games. In this small sample of games (25 at the most) during the regular season, I could not believe the vast majority of the decisions that Grady made with the bullpen/situational hitting/base running/anything else that falls within a manager's jurisdiction. He should have been fired mid-season, even though the team posted a good record. His baseball instincts are non-existent and his stubborness can only be written off to southern stupidity. 95 wins with the talent and lack of injuries on this team is a bare minimum. I just don't understand how the fans of New England could support this man after having the opportunity to watch his decision making on a nightly basis.....and just the thought of him at the helm next near if they are in a playoff series vs. the Yankees is enough to keep me up at night.....Dennis Eckersley for manager and the Sox do it in '04.

Mike, Syracuse, NY

Thanks Grady for your boneheaded decision to leave Pedro in a few batters too long. You made the same boneheaded moves vs Oakland in the LCS when you pinch hit Adrian Brown and didn't pinch run for Ortiz when Millar doubled. All year I poked my eyes out wondering why you don't make the obvious moves and make the dumb ones. I commend you for "keeping the clubhouse together" but that means squat (see Jack McKeon 2003 world champs) in our book. Make sure you use statistics when you manage, I mean IF you manage another big league team. Maybe you can coach another 1000 minor league games and try it again Mr Brainiac! Adios Forrest Gump and take BY Kim with ya!

Ted W,Yaz,Dewey,Pesky,Rice,Fisk,Oil Can,etc..., Ex Boston Alum

Hire the REMDOG

Christyle, Killingly, Red Sox Nation

Thank you Grady for probably the most exciting year of Red Sox baseball I've witnessed in my 36 years of Red Sox Nation. I hope the Sox management know what they are doing. I just hope he is NOT sitting on the bench with Joe Torre next year!!!

Darrell, Wichita, Ks

As a Red Sox fan for 25 of my 29 years, I remember vividly the Bill Buckner debaucle in 1986 and the events during game 7 of this year's ALCS brought back some harsh memories. Grady should have pulled Martinez, as I'm sure the fans at Fenway and the millions in Red Sox Nation would agree. But to not re-new the contract of a man who brought the Sox to the doorstep of the World Series with a team that has a pretty good chance of staying together over the off-season was a big mistake. Really, they should tell Pedro to pack his bags...after all he is in the twilight of his career. (Oops, is that what the Sox said about Clemens?) Good luck Grady, any team who gets you next year will be lucky indeed.

Matthew, Halifax, Nova Scotia

I feel for the guy, but the results not his effort sealed his fate. Only in sports would his firing be debated...in the real world, if you are a high priced decision maker and your philosophy for running the 'business' was out-of-synch with management your job is in jeopardy. Even if you had make contributions to the 'firm', you are paid the big bucks to make key decisions. So when you make one (if not the biggest) error in 'company' history, guess what Grady...you are sent packing to look for a new job. How can management continue to pay you to be the key decision maker if they can be sure you will sink the ship again...again only in sports would this be debated.

Ken, Scituate

My first Choice would be ESPN's Bobby Valentine. Boston needs a Sparky Manager that makes sound managerial decissions based on statistical data and not players feelings. I love Pedro too, but Timlin and pen had done a great job (post Season ). But to let Pedro pitch to three Lefties in a row, in the bottom of the 8th , Bad Jew Jew. Bobby V also brings a certain rivalry with the Evil Empire as well. My second Choice would be Glenn Hoffman, Fergosi, or the Rem dawg.

Chuck, Virginia Beach

It was time to let him go. They might have kept him until he stated that he wasn't sure he wanted to come back. After that, it was a done deal. Hopefully, Steinbrenner will let his ego override his common sense and fire Joe T so we can hire him and win a few series. Hey, Zim's available too! Pedro would love that!

Rick, Cincinnati

I am not a Red Sox fan but nevertheless, I think that Boston has to get a manager that will be rough with the players simply because the are paid very well and should perform. I would first straighten out our friends Pedro and the other lazy player Ramirez..Only then will the Red Sox beat their arch rivals Yankees. Pedro should be traded anyway .

Robert, Lewiston, Maine 04240

I think the "Olde Town Team" had great year and I think we will be in good shape next year regardless whether Grady Little is here or not. Grady was a big factor in this year's success mostly by making the team more cohesive not by his decisions during a given game. Let's build on the positive things Grady left behind. We still have one of the best teams in baseball.

Jeff, Somerville