Get the latest Boston sports news
Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
Jim Montgomery explained why he rejects the ‘players’ coach’ label
"Then they saw how demanding I was in practice, and with details in the game, and they maybe thought, well, who is this guy?"
The Red Sox defeated the Guardians 4-2 on Thursday night. Xander Bogaerts provided the difference, hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning.
Prior to Thursday’s game, the Red Sox honored longtime radio play-by-play announcer Joe Castiglione (who has been in his role for 40 years).
Jim Montgomery on his approach to coaching the Bruins: After firing Bruce Cassidy partly because of his “messaging” problem with players, the Bruins brought in Jim Montgomery as the team’s new head coach.
Montgomery, 53, will have to figure out the balance between the traditional definition of being a so-called “players’ coach” and demanding higher standards from his team.
Advertisement:
As he explained in a recent episode of “The Cam & Strick Podcast,” Montgomery said he will look to establish relationships with his new players as quickly as he can while simultaneously setting an early tone.
“When you first get there, I’m trying to get to know people as people,” Montgomery explained. “That’s the way I’ve always been. I think you learn from that situation.”
“I do think, and I know a couple players remarked this to me, that they thought because I wanted to get to know them as people, that I wanted to be this super friendly players’ coach,” he added. “And I think then they saw how demanding I was in practice, and with details in the game, and they maybe thought, well, who is this guy? Like, which one is he?”
For Montgomery, he thinks the answer to such a question is achieved with consistency.
“I think they understand that I was going to be me over time,” he concluded, “and we developed really good relationships.”
Trivia: Who is the only Patriots player to ever lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns in a regular season?
(Answer at the bottom).
Advertisement:
Hint: He won the Super Bowl in consecutive seasons. One of those came in New England, but the other did not.
More from Boston.com:
- Here’s what you need to know about the looming fate of Mass. sports betting legislation
- Xander Bogaerts says Red Sox told him privately he wouldn’t be traded before deadline
- 4 takeaways as Xander Bogaerts’ homer lifts Red Sox over Guardians in series finale
- Andrew Benintendi won’t say whether he will get vaccinated with Yankees
- 8 takeaways from Day 2 of Patriots training camp
- Following extension, Davon Godchaux is looking to prove Bill Belichick right
- Aaron Judge’s 3rd walk-off HR of year lifts Yankees over Royals 1-0
- Sun beat Storm in Sue Bird’s final game in Connecticut
- Revolution forward Jozy Altidore set for Puebla loan move
- NFL insider explained the ‘business’ reason for Patriots not naming an offensive coordinator
The Worcester Red Sox will wear Black Panther uniforms: The upcoming film, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” was partly filmed in Massachusetts.
An update from Patriots training camp:
On this day: In 1997, Mariners outfielder Jay Buhner robbed Scott Hatteberg of a home run by leaping into the Fenway Park bullpen. Despite Buhner’s heroics, Seattle lost to Boston, 4-0.
Daily highlight: Mark Hubbard lived a roller-coaster of emotions on what was eventually a hole-in-one at the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Thursday.
Trivia answer: LeGarrette Blount
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com