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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 22


Patriots are coming...Patriots are coming...Patriots are coming...Patriots are coming.....

Matt, Westford


The way this team is presently constructed, they have little chance of reaching the playoffs. Look at the bench; McCarty, Crespo, Kapler, etc. This is not a capable crew. The biggest problem may be with Nomar and the effect he's having on the team. This team does not have the same chemistry as last year's. Friday night after Manny hit his homerun, where was Nomar who was the on deck hitter? Standing in the on deck circle. No high five, way to go, etc. Nothing. Nomar never came near him. I would trade Nomar as soon as possible, possibly for Brett Boone. That should at least be explored. Bidding goodbye to Nomar now should go a long way toward bringing this team together. That would also put Pokey back at short where he belongs. Since Nomar returned, this team has gone down the tubes defensively. Theo, you need to make something happen now. If you don't, this team's season is over. As for Francona, a return of Grady Little would be a welcomed addition.

Glenn , Gambrills, MD


Even as a die-hard Yankee fan, I'm beginning to lose interest in this rivalry. The Red Sox have no fire and this series just serves to highlight some fundamental flaws of the Red Sox. The line-up resembles the Yankees of the last few years: pure long-ball hitters sitting on pitches to belt. But the difference with the Yankees this year is that they figured out how to manufacture runs - just plain old baselball. The line-up has to lose some weight! Secondly, there is no accountability in the Red Sox organization: the "family" atmosphere forgives too easily: lose the hugs and kind words! Come on Boston, we're waiting!

Yankee Fan, New York, NY


It's the whole team's "fault" but Francona's responsibility. I don't know what planet he is on, but it isn't earth. He does not recognize serious problems or do anything to address them. He seems to exercise no discipline, shows no fury or any competitiveness, and it is that last thing that is sorely lacking. The Yankees are competitors. They always play to win. We, on the other hand, like giving up runs and leads rather than pounding a down opponent into the ground. Want to save the season? Fire Francona immediately. Trade Nomar immediately. Get a new manager who will manage and a player who won't make an error per night on his way to a sub .200 batting year.

Jason, Mansfield, OH


I think it's time to panic. We're now barely above .500, these guys just don't have the spark or enthusiasm of last year. I don't know what's wrong. I think the majority of the problem is the offense. What we had for offense last year, the yankees now have this year. The other problem is fielding. Too many errors. I think the pitching is fine. I effl bad for Arroyo...His last couple of outings were pretty good,but the bats let him down. They need to cut the crap with the fielding errors and stat hitting the ball........thats the bottome line. As for the manager, Grady Little gave them two seasons in a row of 90 plus wins and we fire him?????? I also think Terry Francona was the wrong man for the job. I think there were better candidates that were interviewed. This reminds me when Pete Carroll took over a team that went to the Super Bowl the previous year and re-gressed the team within three seasons. Terry Francona took over a team that went to the ALCS last year.....See where this is going. The positive thing is we still have three solid months of baseball and all hope is not lost,but things need to turn around NOW.

Anthony, Bostob


Terry Francona is the worst manager in Red Sox history. This is one of the worst defensive teams the Red Sox have ever fielded. This team has no guts and no leadership outside Varitek. Pedro will be a Yankee...Nomar will be a Dodger or Angel. Lowe will be a Sox starter next season only if he's deemed finished by Major League standards. They have already moved on mentally. Grady Little looks better and better every day. he kept a dysfunctional team intact. Little's won-loss and season finish in 2003 will be the Gold Standard by which Red Sox seasons ae judged for many years to come.

Jim , Marshfield,MA


Why doesn't Francona make defensive changes late in games with the lead? With a solid pen why leave Manny in (drops a ball in the ninth vs. LA) and mistakes too numerous to mention at first base, put in McCarty.

H Winn, Jersey Shore


Okay, this may be a mistake writing here as a diehard Yankee fan, but here are my unbiased observations of your Red Sox: There is way too much "love" going on in that clubhouse for a team that has struggled for two months now. Discipline (also called respect), although hated by most unmotivated baseball crybaby millionaires, is an absolute necessity for success. Are there any Sox fans that were absolutely disgusted with Pedro's bantering with Yankee fans the last two nights? He doesn't want to play for the Yankees next year, he's using his wonderful politics to scare Theo & Co. so he gets his $18-$20 million from the Sox next year. Management (not Francona) needs to declare that "fun time is over!" in that clubhouse until they start winning again. Back in '95 when Yankee expectations were so high and they got out of the gates 13-22, Steinbrenner took away most of the luxuries (facial hair included) and that forced the team to play harder together which translated into winning. Now this Sox team is way more talented than that '95 team, and unfortunately all I ever hear about is Damon's hair and all of the different hugs the Sox players have created for each other. Ortiz getting hugs from the players after his Buckner last night made me sick to my stomach. He screwed up, and then blamed it on the glove! It was not okay what he did and said. Last thoughts: You can't fire 25 players, so Francona has got to go, if nothing else than a shakeup. I also am getting a little upset at the Sox fans' reaction to Nomar. The guy is still getting his feet on the ground like it's spring training. And the fans that say Nomar looks like he doesn't care......well, how would you feel if you were the top exec in a firm/company and heard on the news you were being transferred somewhere else? And then they decided to keep you. Would you be a little bitter? Do you really think a competitor like Nomar is dogging it so he can sign for less money next year or be traded this year? Nomar is not Rickey Henderson folks, cut the guy some slack!

Sincavage, Albany


These guys STINK!!! They are a bunch of BUMS!! Case closed, the end!

Mike , Medford


The only thing I'm going to vent about are the p*s*ies in here that think the season ended last night. We're not even at the all-star break folks! The team is better than the last two nights have shown - If you don't believe that, then hand any tickets you have for the rest of the year over to a real Sox Fan.... The Red Sox will be playing in Mid October.

DanObiWan, Camp Hill, PA


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