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So long, Grady

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?

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Sorry Grady, but this is absolutely the right move. More than once throughout the playoffs I was praying you would use a lifeline to make a decision, or at the very least, poll the audience. Your refusal to play small ball while facing the two best pitching staffs in the AL was mystifying, the Pedro decision, devastating. If Timlin, or Embry had lost that game - so be it. Ninety percent of the Nation would have backed that decision. Team conduct, well, that is also on your lap, and it lacked a certain level of class. Specifically: the bench spelling Lilly on their jackets, Lowe's obscene gesturing to the Oakland dugout, Pedro's head-hunting gesture to Posada, Manny's ridiculous bat-in-hand charge of Roger. I can't picture Williams, Yaz, or Fisk (let alone Trot, Nomar and Varitek) feeling alot of pride about these playoff moments. You had the respect and like of the Redsox clubhouse, but little contol over its culture or behavior. That said, the numbers tell a different story. The two ninety-plus win seasons say you did a great job. I guess I am playing this one on instinct, but hell, I am not paid seven figures to be a redsox fan, and Theo can't fire me.

James


Grady Little is one of the finest, most honest men alive, who cares about his team. He has done a tremendous job with the Red Sox. Should he have taken Pedro out of the game sooner and would it have made a difference? How could anyone ever know, without a crystal ball? It's unfortunate in the Big Leaques that you can so do much right and one thing wrong and "get the boot" . I hope Boston finds the manager who will make perffect decisions 100% of the time. Grady Little is a credit to any team...he was to Boston and will be in the future.

Cheryl, Huntersville, NR


We Want Zim!

Dan, East Kornhole


It is difficult to base a decision like this on one decision but this was the biggest single decision that I have ever seen--and it was made exteremely badly -- going against everything that Grady had done with success throughout the playoffs... if the starter gets in trouble go to the bullpen. They had nailed it down for him several times throughout the playoffs. Here's to hoping they go an get a manager with proven managerial experience.

John, Virginia Beach, VA


The Red Sox are morons. They always have been and they unfortunately probably always will be. You don't fire the guy that has averaged 94 wins the two seasons the he has managed your team. I'm upset about the ALCS loss like everybody else. But one decision does not call for dismissal. Why were the Sox so tough this year? Because they played loose. Who controls whether a team plays loose or not? The manager. Lou Pinella will never have a team that plays loose under pressure. It's hard for guys to do. The Sox gelled this season and became friends and a large portion of the credit has to go to Little. He deserved one more chance with these guys. It would be interesting to see what he can do with a bullpen for the entire season.

Travis, Morgan, Utah


Grady blew it, there was not one person in the world that would not have pulled Pedro, yet Grady kept him in. He has to pay for that with his job, it is as simple as that.

Chris, Santa Monica, CA


The Red Sox are indeed making the right move. I feel the aquisitions by Theo were the main factor in the new attitide in the clubhouse. Players like Millar, Meuller, Ortiz, and Walker really were "dirt dogs". Their attitude and the way they approach the game everyday is/was the biggest influence on the big money guys (pre-madonas) like Manny, Pedro, and Nomar. Sencondly, if Grady at least admitted his huge blunder and apologized, the public sentiment might be different. His arrogant attitude that he didn't do anything wrong was the icing on the cake. I have faith that Theo, John Henry, and Larry are on the right track and that there are Championships on the horizon.

Joe, Brighton


I'm a longtime devoted Sox fan stuck in Yank country. I, too, wanted Grady's head right after his postseason of ineptitude. Then I started really thinking about it. He has the respect and support of his players (except for maybe his bullpen). He led them to the greatest hitting season of any team in history. He made the most out of a crap bullpen situation all year. He managed our ridiculous and overzealous media and fan base and kept the ship moving forward. But yet the same NEGATIVE and REACTIVE media and fan base can't get past it. Emotions get ahead of rational thinking. I'm one of the same emotional fans but it took getting out of MA to realize how ridiculous we can be. The environment the Sox play is foolish. What other job is scrutinized to such high standards? Granted they get paid well, but narrow-minded scrutiny can wear on the performance of the team. In fact, it may have even led to the reason why Grady left Pedro in the game. Fortunately, there were some POSITIVE thinkers this year. Let's "cowboy up" as fans once again next year. Cheer for your team proactively, rather than waiting for them to do something to earn your cheer. It's OK to put your faith in something. This team was a blast to watch this year and will be next year. Theo will deliver us a winner with or without Grady.

Jeff, Brooklyn, NY


I was screaming at my TV as loudly as anyone that fateful Thursday night, with my 10-year-old son chiming in. By Friday morning I was bellowing about the "stupidest managment move in any game in any sport in the history of all time" (I'm still standing by that one). I wanted Grady the hell out of town on the last Concorde flying to Europe. But . . . 10 days later I'm not so sure. Who is better that is available? That will have the players playing hard and happy -- probably the most vital function of the manager in third millennium major league baseball? I'm not on the Grady bandwagon, by any stretch. But we may look back later and find we jilted our best girl-friend, just because of the one time she danced with the wrong guy at a party.

Terry, Scarborough ME


Bad Decision, How can everybody underestimate the importance of having a strong clubhouse? especially after what happened in 2001 with Kerrigan. Grady, although, he has made some questionable decisions, deserves to stay. The trio and Epstein have some explaining to do? Why dont they hire Bill James to manage since they adhere to his statistical approach as if it were the bible.

Raja, New York, NY (Formerly Derry, NH)


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