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 36

I'll tell you why there is no panic in Red Sox Land: 100-something straight sell-outs, $3 bottles of water and $6 beers for all, new seats on the Monster and the right field roof are filled, $80 sweatshirts, players (with infinite more loyalty to their wallets and their agents than to the team) have their big contracts signed and sealed... The Curse hasn't stopped the money from flowing in... Who needs a winning team when you can watch a bat being made, mingle with some guy on stilts, sing 'Sweet Caroline' and have a big sloppy sausage before and after the game!?! Go Sox!!!

Pedro, Merrimack, NH

Some random thoughts: - Francona is in reality Pete Carroll in a baseball costume - Nomar, Pedro, Lowe all have to go. Use the money to find ballplayers that are hungry and can perform in the clutch with the same efficiency as when they have an 8 to 1 lead. - Keep Jason Veritek !! - Play small ball when necessary, don't let big hitter ego's dictate your strategy, let the situation dictate your strategy. - Build a farm system - If you are going to really do it right, then write off the next three years and BUILD. - Don't mock Steinbrenner, instead, STUDY him ! Good luck, you'll need it.

Alan, Niceville, FL

This is the team that was taking us to the promised land? Who's the car salesman that sold us this rolling wreck? I am jumping off the wagon. Francona isn't a manager. A manager manages. Which means at this stage of the game a manager would have both Millar and Nomar having a seat right now. Put guys out there that think of the team first, not their contract. The Sox were playing better BEFORE Nomar! A manager would also have his team bunt, steal, hit and run...you know...all the things the other teams do to beat us. These guys need to be told they stink and that they underachieve...plain and simple. Quit trying to buffalo the fans with excuses!!! You can't tell me a ground ball can't be fielded by someone "not in midseason form"! This is the same tiresome sales pitch we have heard for the last 15 years. The manager and players have run out of excuses. Time to change gears and obtain good pitching and speed. Time to make a package deal and try to salvage some pride.

Ted Williams, Boston

My name's Mark, and I'm probably the most hard core southern fan of the Red Sox y'all have. Red Sox vanity plates and all. After watching Ortiz's error last night (86, anyone?), I was more than a little upset. I stood up and cursed out my tv, so irate was I. I'm still upset about it. If we end up being swept tonight, I'm not sure if I'll watch our boys for awhile. It hurts too much these days to do so.

Mark , Norfolk, VA

This team sucks, although it's obviously not for lack of talent. The blame lies squarely with Francona. True, he has displayed very questionable decision making, but I think the real problem is that he has no control or influence over his players. He's has allowed a culture to develop in which players do not try very hard and, worse, no one seems to care about anything. Discipline? Forget it. When I think of the good managers who were available over the last couple of years--Baker, Alou, Pinella--and we wind up with Little and Francona, I start to wonder about what might have happened with a respected, knowledgeable, motivational man in the clubhouse. Anyway, the season is over. The Sox certainly will not win the division, and with the Angels, A's, and Rangers in the West, they won't win the wild card. Trade Nomar now--he looks helpless in the field and at the plate. Fire Francona and hire someone like Don Baylor. Create a fast, coachable team, that plays good defense and smart baseball. I'm pretty much done with this team--although I say it every year...

Joe, Tucson, AZ

Monday I'm flying to Boston from Italy for my summer vacation. As usual, I'll spend it at Fenway and then I'll follow the Sox to Anaheim. Boy I wish I could cancel my trip (I already got tickets to all the gmes) and go to South Beach instead! That's how depressed I am after watching them play the last two games. Trade Nomah, fire Francona, shake things up. Play Youk every day, he may not be George Brett but at least he hustles. The others seem to be sleepwalking through the games. The Yankees might be unbeatable, but that's not the point. In a short series, with Curt and Pedro we can beat anybody, But we need to get there first...

Massimo, Milano, Italy

IS GONNA BE AN UPHILL BATTLE TO WIN THE WILD CARD THIS YEAR

Mike , Worcester

I think Theo and company should FIRE all the players and managers (except for Curt S. and some of the bullpen). Then they should have an open RED SOX training camp - the only requirement is that the participants have to be true-blue diehard Red Sox fan! Imagine the dedication those players would have! I would guess that a decent group of players could be found and there would be a drive to WIN at all costs -24/7! Theo could pay them a few million (chicken feed!) - think of the $$ savings! Besides what a great pr move (for a team to have players from the city where it is located!). That Red Sox team would never lose thier focus - and would NEVER be "playing up" to the crowd in Yankee Stadium!!!

Mary , New York , NY (yes caught in the Evil Empire)

Is anyone asking WWGD (What Would Grady Do)?

Keith , Chicago

Fire Terry, trade Nomar, get off Ortiz, don't forget he was responsible for their two run lead in the first place, Terry should have replaced him with McCarty....trade Millar while he's still worth something. Hire Bobby Valentine as manager, pay him whatever he wants.....leave pedro, manny, and curt alone...if they want to do things at their own speed fine, at least they produce.

jim, west warwick