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 ...

Page 24

Can someone please tell me what the hell is happening with this team, wasn't this supposed to be "our" year. Life is hard enough being a sox fan in the Bronx, this makes it ten times worse! Francoma better start whooping some a**!!!! Or throw his out the door!!!

Dennis, Bronx

Get rid of Garciaparra right now and sit Mr. Cowboy Up on the bench for a couple of games. It's getting ridiculous. Or, if we need to let Garciaparra "get into game shape", play him at second or DH him. At least get him hot at the plate. As far as Millar is concerned, this guy is a solid back-up, play-every-couple-of-days guy. He is killing us right now. Tom Caron at NESN made a plea for Delgado (free agent at the end of the year) yesterday and I say go get him. JP Richardi is a Nomar fan so 2 free agents at the end of the year and with Delgado making the extra $5-$6 million this year, it is a small price to pay to get a slugger and a decent first baseman. If we sign him, great. If not, no big deal. We hold onto prospects and we take Delgado's bat and fielding over that of Nomar's....

BWKetchum, salem

War's over, man. Ortiz dropped the big one. What? Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! Germans? Forget it, he's rolling. And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the going gets tough . . . the tough get going. Who's with me? Let's Go! Come on! AAAAEEEEEGGGHHHH!! We'll get those darn Yankees in October!!!

Harry, Charlestown

OK, we just hit bottom. But wait, this is the Red Sox, things can still get worse. I'd rather be on Das Boot than the Red Sox, maybe even Tampa Bay with Lou Pinella who will manage to bring his tub back to the surface. Let's see, Burt Lancaster or Kurt Jurgens to play Francona, and Kelsey Grammar to play lst after the 7th. But all seriousness aside, this is a vastly pseudo-confident team who thought the yankees would roll over for them. As soon as I heard certain members of the team were jetting to spring training games, I knew it was going to be a bad year. Down periscope!

Ted , Woodbridge, VA

Time to vent? I don't think so. Time to just have a reality-check. I don't care how much talent the 2004 Red Sox have (and they certainly DO have some talent), they just play with no heart. I call it "Pedro-itis". The pervading cancer of an attitude that allows these multi-millionaires to dismiss the fact that they are playing completely mediocre baseball under the guise that they really "are trying their best". Give me a break! My Tuesday Night Men's Rec Softball Team plays with more heart! These guys just don't care, and it's painfully obvious, starting with Nomar, Francona, Pedro, and right on down the list, with the only possible exceptions being Trot Nixon & Jason Varitek. They are the ANTI-PATRIOTS! So, since it's obvious that this year's Sox are not going anywhere, why not cut losses regarding the inevitable and: 1) Trade Nomar to the west coast while we can still get something for him, before he becomes a free agent at the end of his glorious 2004 campaign of half measures, and he and Mia can live out their days in laid-back, California bliss! 2) Even though the market is a little dry for sinker ball pitchers with bad attitudes who give up 7 runs per 4 innings, maybe we can still trade Derek Lowe, as well. Get whatever you can for him - prospects, utility players, old copies of the Sporting News - just get Mr. Blister out of here! 3) Sign Jason Varitek to a long-term deal. He is the only potential free agent on this team worth keeping. His attitude is great, he's a team leader, and a master of the pitching staff, and when Theo Epstein finally manages to put a decent team together, Jason will be even more important. 4) Package Scott "My Arm Hurts, Skip" Williamson into the Lowe deal. Maybe we can up the ante to old copies of the Sporting News AND the Paris Hilton tapes! 5) Trade Pedro "These NY Fans Are Really Nice!" Martinez to the Expos or the Tigers immediately following his start tonight. His time in Boston is quite obviously done and I can't stand to watch a $17.5 million dollar player fooling around while his team gets shellacked and acting like he could care less for one more day! 6) Once all that is done, just because he deserves it for trying to be all things to all people, FIRE TERRY FRANCONA. Bring Butch Hobson up to manage this team the rest of the way, and do whatever it takes to get Eric Wedge back from Cleveland for next year! In summary: Clean house, free up some big-time money, start looking at free agents for next year, and shut it down for 2004. Only 28 days until Patriots Training Camp starts - Thank God! Armen Z., Plantation, FL

Armen , Plantation, FL

The way this team is playing is pathetic, there is only one way to get this turned around. GET RID OF TERRY FRANCONA A.K.A Pete Caroll of baseball. I am still waiting to see a move that he does, to work out or better yet make SENCE!!!!!!!

Frank , Westford

Putting aside the total waste of a manager Terry Francona IS, he's got to make some adjustments in his managing style. that's why they have a bench coach. Late inning replacements, advancing the runner in close games , bullpen ( What's with Lenny DiNardo...he sucks, enough already) sit Nomar and Millar a few games. Is it a coincidence the Sox were playing better with Pokey at SS? Nomar needs to get his head straightened out, and once and for all decide what he wants to do!!!

George , Bethlehem, Pa.

``It's a play I've made in the past, going deep to my right and throwing it over there,'' Garciaparra said. ``It just didn't work out.'' Did Nomar really say that? "It just didn't work out?" WHAT?!? What a freakin wuss. I am beside myself. In all the years I've followed basketball, football, and baseball, I've never heard such a bunch of whiners in professional sports. They aren't competitors. They are losers. Doesn't anyone get angry on this team? Doesn't anyone want to fight? I gotta say, for a long time I thought Pedro was just a punk, but at least he acts like he's ready to fight. Give me competitors, not these bums. Everyone should take a lesson from Schill. When he loses a game, he says "That sucked. I screwed up. I want to fight hard and win next time." When Nomar loses "it just didn't work out" and when Francona loses "well, gee, shucks, I really think these guys are good." IDIOT!!! MORON!!! LOSER!!! ANYONE of the people on this board, who have made 100% devastated and devastingly correct comments, could manage better!!! ARG!!!!!

J, Lincoln, MA

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

Francona should instill some discipline in players instead of being Mr. Nice Guy. That being said the players are at fault too for just not performing to expectations. Besides Foulke, Schilling, Manny, Ortiz (battingwise), and Wake, the rest of the team has been deplorable. In regards to last night's game, with Wake being so dominant, why wasn't he allowed to get the team out the jam in the 7th? Meanwhile Derek "Pity Me" Lowe is allowed to work himself out of jams and is giving up 9 runs in the process. It makes no sense.

Ryan, Boston