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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 21


Fourth best record in the majors. Knee-deep in the playoff race. Have yet to play a game with their top lineup. Am I missing something? Am I supposed to be upset?

Doug, Boston, MA


There's enough blame to go around for everyone. This all started last fall with Theo and the trios mishandling of the A Rod deal. As soon as that went down the tubes, so did the cohesiveness of last years team. Ever since, our star SS has had a chip on his shoulder and clearly wants out. Nomar is a cancer to our clubhouse--partly his fault b/c he won't change his perspective or attitude, partly Management's fault for putting the team in this situation, partly Francona's fault for letting it go on. Speaking of Francona, has he done ANYTHING right this year? No control over his team, poor decision making, pretty much just sits back and watches the chaos unfold without any intervention. Last, but certainly not least, our defense is terrible. Management HAS to go out and make a major move to shake up this team NOW while we can still turn it around. Trading Nomar for some pitching, defense, a little offense and a better attitude are a must. Firing Francona is also a must. Let's get it done Theo!

Andrew , Cambridge/IA


Fire Francona and get Jim Leyland. A similiar thing worked for the Marlins last year. This team is undisciplined and listless. No bunting, no hit and run, no wonder why they're leaving so many men on base

Matt, Charlotte NC


This knee-jerk bashing is as predictable as sunrise. It fills the already brimming hearts of Yankee fans with glee. It seems as if a lot of fans lack perspective as to what it truly means/requires to root for the Sox. Last years magic sputtered when it counted and this year the old beat goes on... After a strong spring start, the Yankee lead is starting to appear insurmountable nearing the all-star break and (as usual) around fireworks time, things are looking pretty bleak. No time like the present for a little bit of the old loyalty. And, last I checked, there's still a LOT of ball left to play, If you're not prepared for/accustomed to this sort of adversity you could not have been in this corner for very long. Welcome to the "or for worse" part of the commitment... I agree with a lot of what's being said about who should be traded ("dumped") from the rotation, but think that the time for thoughtful articulation of those opinions was months ago, now it's just throwing stones.

Joe , Amherst


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


HELLO?!?!? Let's not forget WHY Nomar is UNHAPPY before blaming him. . . He is unhappy because he had SEVERAL tremendous years for us and in return THEO STABBED HIM IN THE BACK. . .!!! This isn't Nomar's fault. . .the blame lies with Theo and his pompous ego-inflated buddies.

Johnny, Kingston


Nomar needs to go.......now. Send him back to the west coast so he can overplay his defensive position, swing at the 1st pitch, and go 1 for whatever in the playoffs. Nomar should be traded for some pitching and prospects. Let's try to get a first baseman who can play there everyday and stop the ridiculous rotation garbage that is going on at 1st. Aren't the Royals offering Mike Sweeney? Ortiz is our DH and backup 1st baseman. Mccarty is a late inning defensive replacement/ outfielder. Stop bringing in Gabe Kapler as the 4th outfielder. Mccarty should get a shot to play more than he has. Dump Millar. More pitching. He looks like a fool with his stupid haircuts and lifeless bat. Rent Randy Johnson. The Diamondbacks owe us for Kim. They should just give us Randy Johnson for a bag of old baseballs. Arroryo can do long relief and then we take a look at him next year again as a starter. Have the guts to admit a grave error has been made and fire Terry Francona. He has become one of the most reviled Sox managers I have ever seen. I'll leave it up to the "straw picking" Theo Epstein to figure out what to do for a replacement. Maybe he'll make another lucky guess. Or maybe he'll bring back Giambi, Sauerstink, Suppan, Kim, or cajole the useless Mendoza to come back and spark the Sox. I can do a better job than this arrogant, boring airbag of a GM.

Stephen , Hamden, CT


It's hard to imagine defining moments of a season coming in June but I'm sure we've seen them. Red Sox: bases loaded, no outs equals no runs Yankees: bases loaded, two outs equals another Sox error and tie game Defining moments, separating perpetual winners from perpetual losers.

Andy , Buffalo, NY


Typical Bosux---snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Cheer up chowderhead fans, the Celtics season starts in a couple months. Oh wait, they suck too. HAHAHA

Dave , Hartsdale


I'm soo speechless that I'm not even going to continue....

Daryl , Boston


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