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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 34


Time to restructure. It is not to late to turn this season around but they must get rid of Francona and Nomar. Francona has no authority on this team and it is clear that he is not respected by the players. Nomar just doesnt seem to care. He belongs in a city where mediocre play is accepted. Send him to Toronto for Delgado, a fielding first baseman.

Tommy , East Milton, MA


Time for the Sox to hold a clinic with a few local LITTLE LEAGUE teams. Maybe they could learn some fundamentals........ Lets put Pokey back at short, Nomar on second, and move Mueller to first. OH YEAH how about getting rid of those BAGGY uniforms and bring back the classic look......at least then we would look like ballplayers. they look as BAD on the Field as they are playing.........

mike, RI


If you want to place blame,start with theo, he started this whole mess,by makinging his feelings public about manny,and nomar.also he hires a manager thats a yes man.if you want to talk about additude start with pedro,his dont care additude is being overlooked

greg, naugatuck,ct


Baseball? What is this baseball that you speak of? I'm seriously considering dumping the tickets I have for next Saturday and Sunday's games against the Rangers. What's the use? While the Sox were blowing it yet again last night, I was enjoying myself at the Mohegan Sun arena, as the Connecticut Sun completely dominated the Washington Mystics from opening tip to final buzzer, to win their 5th in a row and take a share of first place in the WNBA's Eastern Conference. Now *that*'s entertainment. Basketball is fun. I like basketball. Good things happen in basketball. And the best thing about it is, I don't care about it deeply enough to have to endure this repeated agonizing, crushing sense of defeat and disappointment EVERY SINGLE YEAR OF MY LIFE. Anybody wanna catch the Sun next weekend? They're in town...

meredith, new haven, ct


Alright, I know all the analysts on baseball tonight were saying, "The season's not over", and, "It's only June" but, truthfully, I can't share in their optimisim. These guys make me sick, infuriate me, and sadden me at the same time. I had a thought last night about how wrong I have been to call the Yankees a bunch of prima donna's. I take it back, they can be as loud, brash, and conceited as they want to be. Why? Because they play hard, they play tough, and they win. For all the garbage that was being thrown around before the season, and during it, about how some of our Sox players were demanding more money for their exceptional abilities, at this point, what have they done to deserve what they are already getting? Nothing. It is my belief that the spirit and the idea of the Boston Red Sox trancends any individual player. Therefore, if they don't want to be a part of us, we don't want them to be here either. Now there are many on OUR team that I cheer and applaud for their unselfish attitude and commitment to winning, but there are also the mercenaries who don't seem to care about being a part of one of the two most storied franchises in sports history. They should feel honored to put on that uniform. Don't they understand what the team means to the thousands of fans around the world? How much each and every one of them is admired, even if their time with the team is brief? Please, play for the team, play for the fans, play for the game. Play hard, play tough, play with heart, and win. Long Live the Red Sox.

Kris, Birmingham, Al


Fire Terry and go get us Sweet Lou. Why not make a move for Kris Benson or Barry Zito? What do we have to lose we're alredy 7 1/2 games back. Usually the wheels don't fall off until mid-august. Where's Brady when you need him?

Chris , Atlantic Beach, FL


Get rid of Millar, put Pokey back on shortstop, Nomar on second, David Ortiz DH only, Kapler in rightfield, have the pitcher listen to the catcher, bring back Daubach and put him of first. If you are not going to sacrifice to gets runs, then stop sacrificing the fans hearts.

Lori, Naugatuck, Ct


Franconias a pussy! ive been a fan since i could watch TV and ive been getting let down ever since. Get rid of the expencive premadonas (perdo, nomar) Fire franconias ass. sign varitek. and watch the celtics atleast when they lose its not such a suprise anymore.

Pat, Tewksbury


Enough already! For crying out loud, it's only July 1st; the season isn't even half over!!!! However, I too am frustrated at what is going on with the Sox. This team has ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSES for why they cannot get to the World Series, let alone win it, this year. They have better pitching than the Yankees, they have a solid offense and a deep bench. Their defense is not the best, but if you keep Ortiz at DH and keep Pokey in the lineup there is no problem. If they are still 7 games back by end of July or early August, then the ownership will have to come to the obvious conclusion that this team has a serious attitude problem. Please spare me any more b.s. about the Evil Empire, the Curse of the Bambino, blah blah ad nauseum. This year's Sox have been tweaked and tuned in every which way, physically. Mentally....well, that's the real test. If they can't do it with this bunch, then it is time for the ownership to change management from the front office on down. Bye bye Theo, bye bye Bill James, so long Terry Francona, adios Dr. Steinberg, etc. 85 freaking years without a World Series championship is just unacceptable. Any way we can get Jack McKeon?

Peter, Mt. Prospect, IL


The Sox need to approach their woes one of two ways, decide that they will fix what is broken or "wait until next year". To fix their woes, three immediate things need to happen: 1) Lose Millar - Cut, send to Pawtucket, or trade for a used rag. 2) Lose Nomar - Eat his salary and trade him for a twice used rag or bench him. 3) Fire Francona - Most of their problems can be directly tied to this numb skull. He is coddling these guys like they're new borns. My cat could manage better than this bozo. Replacements: Millar - Trade for Delgado or Olerud. Nomar - Reese Francona - Used jock strap. If its time to wait until next year then they should trade at a minimum Lowe and Garciaparra. These guys will not be back after this season. In addition, if they have no intention of signing Pedro /Varitek /Reese /Williamson/ Belhorn (oh yes, the Sox actually have about 10 free agents to deal with), then trade them for anything of value. I vote for the latter, Francona/Nomar/Millar have killed this team. Let's "Danny Ainge" the Red Sox!

Babe Ruth, Sudbury Lake Bottom


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