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OK Sox fans, time to vent

Talk about a June swoon. We can't think of two worse back-to-back losses than the ones the Red Sox suffered Tuesday and Wednesday nights, simply dreadful. Terry Francona seems to be making all the wrong decisions and players are fielding like they've got "Chico's Bail Bonds" ironed on the back of their jerseys.

To make matters worse, these losses were to the Yankees, and dropped Boston 7½ games behind New York in the AL East, the largest deficit since Grady Little's crew fell that low last August.

Things don't appear to be getting any better, either. The Sox were 11-14 in the month of June, and may have lost setup man Scott Williamson with an elbow injury Wednesday night.

The doctor isn't in, but feel free to sit on our couch and vent your feelings on the Sox. Can they turn this around? How? What are they doing wrong? Is this Francona's fault, or does the blame lie higher up the chain with Theo and the Trio? Or are the players to blame? Trade Nomar? Acquire a first baseman? Bring back Grady? It's open season ...

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Page 16


If the Sox don't miraculously win it all this year FIRE Francona. In the meantime bring Daubach back, sit Millar, trade Lowe and Nomar for the Big Unit. And if that doesn't do it, FIRE SALE!!

John, Boston


Terry Francona couldn't coach my little league baseball team! And the coach I had was a male hair dresser that always showed up high as a kite! When you get right down to it , how hard can this be? Seriously? You play the starters , sit the backup guys and send out a starting pitcher every 5th game. Now , I understand that there will be decisions you have to make during the game ( when to pull a pitcher , when to advance a runner, when to walk a guy, etc.) but come on! This isn't rocket science. If you're down by a one run, batting in the 7th inning, with a man on second and nobody out.... YOU BUNT THE TYING RUN OVER TO THIRD BASE! This should be something every manager learns during day one of baseball manager school. I know there isn't a school , but just come along with me on this. The Sox are closer to the Devil rays than they are to the Yankees. It's June F'ing 30TH! Kevin Millar has 21 RBI'S in 3 months?? and he's in the lineup every day? Play Manny, Ortiz, Nomar, Trot, Pokey, Damon and Varitek as much as humanly possible. Rotate the utility guys around as needed. Do you see Arod and Jeter taking every 8th game off? NO! and they are both well under their average stats at this point. Trade D-lowe and Youkilis to the Diamondbacks for Randy Johnson. Throw in Shoppach if you have to... Let Nomar and Pokey learn to play with each other , keep Trot in right field and for the love of God! Keep Millar as far away from first base as possible!!

Ed, nashua


Lighten up! It's only a game! Go Red Sox! There's always next year.

Sara, Needham


Why not get get the owners and the GM get Mr. James in, and have him figure out the math on how to teach these players how to catch, throw, and hit a ball!!! Maybe his math wizard numbers will figure something out??? Bottom line, they talk about luck, but you make your own luck gentlemen, and they are getting back what they are putting into it! They are done regarding first place, and as much as I hate to say this, the Yankees have players, management and the mentality to compete and know how to win, bottome line. When you cannot field the ball or throw it, when you have bases loaded, no outs and cannot get a run to score , you do not deserve to win, period! If I am Epstein, he needs to really think about trading these people before July 31st; Nomar and Lowe. WE must get something because we will not get anything for them and who knows about Jason, Pedro or Williamson? And I am beginning to doubt Francona, and maybe Little was not so bad, even though he did err last year which we all know, but this thing is done people, you can see it in them. This free agent thing in my opinion was the demise before the season started. And Tampa Bay will pass them soon.

Doug , Dallas Tx


60 years a Sox fan and team worst ever.Dump Millar,trade Nomar(for new Gloves) and get a manager with backbone and uses baseball fundamentals such as the bunt and hit and run. This team even makes my Buffalo Bills look good.

Bob , Waddington NY


Here we go again! We haven't had a good manager since Dick Williams. On last night's debacle, why wasn't Trott Nixon in right field? He hits well in Yankee Stadium; is a much better outfielder than Millar; and has that fire in his belly that most of the others seem to lack. Probably the Sox Stats showed that Millar was 2 for 3 lifetime against Lieber. The manager is a laughing stock. Let's see, "He was terrible in Philadelphia, but he'll be good here. " It usually doesn't work that way. To quote a former head football coach: "You are what you are."

George , Somerset, MA


This month has been nothing short of a travesty. I feel like I am watching a team with no intensity and look like they just don't care. This series was crucial and now it's pretty much blown. The DRays are knocking on our door now and gaining more ground every day. I won't be surprised to see them sitting home watching come October. Tragic, just tragic.

CWR, Irving, TX


I can't take it.....Francona has no edge. Nomar is loafing......unearned runs and errors are the death of a TEAM. TF must go!!!

Brian , Charleston South Carolina


I am sick of watching the supposed "world series" caliber Sox lay dormid every night while they lose to the yankees. First, Francona is the most passive manager I have ever seen, I would honestly rather have Grady in there, at least he attempted to run once a season. Second, Nomar seems to be playing with absolutely no drive what-so-ever. If you asked me to evaluate the middle infield, I would have to say it was probably the top 3 middle infields in the league if not the best. However, Nomar seems to have a case of the Baseball hozils, he can't grab a routine grounder if his life depended on it. Alought there is half a season left, if they don't at least take 3 of the next 4 games I will be terribly concerned for the rest of the season. This is simply just pitiful baseball to watch.

Dave, Northboro


Don't know where to start, but I wish this team did the little things to win a damn ballgame. Bases loaded and they can't capatilize on the yankees. To beat the yankees you have more than 2 runs to win the game. Nomar needs to be tought not to swing at the first pitch. He pisses me off or any batter that swing at the first pitch. Why are they so desperate, can some teach this guys how to bunt,steal, all the little thing to win a damn ball game. I watch the game lastnight until the 4 inning, after I switch the channel becausedeep down I knew we we're going to lose the game. Later on at night I check the score, and said to myself I'm glad I didn't watch this game. All I have to say is watch out for Tampa Bay they might make it to the playoffs and not the red sox if they keep it wit that attitude. Let' s see if Spiderman Pedro can win this game. Even if he pitches great the player behind him are the ones responsible to play there. Wish them the best, right now I don't care for them. Can you blame us for being upset.

Ed's No to happy, Randolph


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