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 29

time to dump Terry...

savage , cambridge

It seems the more good players we acquire, the worse we get. When good players can't win games, whose fault is that?? We don't hit-and-run, we don't steal, we don't put pressure on the opponent. We've become so one dimensional nobody is scared of us anymore. Whose fault is that?? Millar, don't hit for the fence. Nomar, be more focused. Terry, stop taking out players when they are hot.

John Liu, Boston

UGH.

Jeff, Berwyn, PA

Give me a break!! What is going on here. The season is going down the toilet and hopes of finally winning the East are nearly gone. And we sign Astacio. Olerus may be next? The George is going to go out and get Randy Johnson or Russ Ortiz, or Jmaie Moyer or some other top notch starter and we sign a guy who is still in rehab. Who is running the show up there? This is why we will always be the "Little Brother" of the AL EAST. Make a deal for some players!! Get another pitcher! Get rid of Millar! Get some guys who care about not coming in second to the Yankees every freakin' year. This is terrible!!!

Jesse New, Madison, MS

For $6.00 I can watch the Portland Sea Dogs.It's fun to watch the team give 110% every night as opposed to the big shots in Boston who could care less about their effort.Maybe the Sox can get Joe Morgan to come back and coach.They need someone because there is nobody running the ship !

Ed , Augusta,Maine

In typical fashion Red Sox fans were delirious after taking 6 of 7 from the Yanks in April and all but declared this was the year they beat the Curse. However, these bird brain masochists once again jinked themselves and heart break continues today as the Yanks showed what REAL heart looks like. Today we Yankee fans laugh at the ineptness that has become the Red Sox and their fans. Today we laugh at Boy Blunder Theo Epstein. We laugh as the Evil Empire continues to reign over the Dead Sox Nation. Today, we Yankee fans consider ourselves, the luckiest fans, on the face of the Earth.

Chris , Naperville IL

For all those people that say "Just wait until next year" or This is the year" get a grip! We've had 86 "next years" So here is the new plan, the state creates a registry of people that constantly say "This is the year". If the Dead Sox win the World Series, fine we leave them alone. If the Dead Sox lose, all the people registered are rounded up and immediately institutionalized. They forfeit all their possessions and have go through 20 years of mandatory therapy.

Joe, Quincy

The Red Sox are in a miserable tailspin for a number of reasons. First thing they need to do is to stop listening to Bill James, and play baseball the way it is meant to be played. This means, move runners into scoring position by stealing bases, using sacrifices, and other assorted means. Secondly, get Kevin Millar out of the lineup. Period. I don't care if he gives the entire team massages and warm fuzzies after every game. The team spokesperson should be a player who carries the team on their shoulders, not one who is incompetent offensively and defensively. Finally, this is unbelievably frustrating and I hate to say it, but this team is done.

Mike , Dearborn, MI

Did you really expect this team to win it all with Francona at the helm? FIRE TITO.

Eric , New York

Can we just once have a manager who: 1. Has some fire in his belly (i.e.Lou Pinella) 2. Is intelligent (i.e.Tony Larosa) 3. Isn't a jerk (i.e.Jimy Williams) Whoops! He's coaching the Patriots!

Rich