AJ: Terry Francona, The Survivor

Think about the dynamics that Red Sox manager Terry Francona inherited back in 2004.

Francona arrived at his first spring training in February, 2004, only months after the Red Sox had suffered an incredibly painful, masochistic loss to their hated rivals, the NY Yankees, in Game 7 of the ACLS.  Of all the Red Sox’ previous failures, their agonizing loss in 2003 was unique:  It was their manager, Grady Little, who had singlehandedly, blown that game, and, the season.  Little had left Pedro Martinez in the game after Pedro had pitched brilliantly, but grown fatigued – and the Yankes rallied for the win.   Little was blamed all over New England.   The manager’s position had never attracted so much ire and disgust.   The Red Sox, wisely, fired Little and hired Francona to start all over.  

Francona had to show his stuff in 2004, and, he did:  He led the team to win its first World Series since 1918.   He was at the helm when the Sox’ band of “Idiots” staged the greatest comeback in sports history by rallying from an 0-3 deficit to defeat the evil Yankees and go on to beat the Cardinals to win it all.  It was amazing.

What’s also amazing is that Francona has been manager ever since!  He’s about to start his seventh season as manager.  Red Sox managers – for the longest time – never lasted here, in short, because it’s a tough place to manage due to pressure from fans and media.  I think only one previous manager – Joe Cronin, stuck around longer than Francona has.  (Cronin was manager from 1935 – 1947).  Managers of the Red Sox, through the years, typically lasted a year or two or three — but, not much longer.   Francona led the team to a second World Series in 2007, further smashing precedents for the team or its managers.   Now, as we look ahead to 2010,  I’ve realized that Sox fans take Francona for granted to some extent.

So, whatever his strengths and weaknesses, Francona has convinced Red Sox managment, including Sox GM Theo Epstein, that he has what it takes.

I have mixed feelings about Francona.   On the one hand, I think he’s performed some of his most important duties quite well.  He knows how to make good use of baseball stats before, during and after games, but, he also uses discretion and weighs “human factors” and game conditions to make game decisions as well.  Overall, he handles his pitching staff well.  That is, of course, not a small point.   He seems to collaborate well with pitching coach John Farrell.  He tries to take steps to ensure pitchers get rest they need and avoid pitching through injuries.  

Francona is a ”player’s manager” in every sense.  In a positive way, he really seems to communicate well with all his players.  He checks in with them.  He tells them, in advance, about his lineup decisions.  He tries to maintain good chemistry in the clubhouse.  He has a rapport with separate players.  (For example:  his steady joking with Dustin Pedroia is now well-known) . 

 This brings me to my main reservation about Francona:  He’s so chummy with his players that he seems incapable, on occasion, of being assertive enough with them.  There have been many moments when I wished Francona had either sat a player down for a game or two, OR, decided to bench a non-performing pitcher, OR, in general, challenge his veteran players, when necessary.  Francona makes up a little nickname for almost every player, and, sometimes, the extent to which he goes to invent a nickname – even when it’s a lousy nickname – almost, humorously, makes my point that he seems to try a bit too hard to please his players at times.  (He called pitcher Kyle Snyder “Snydes.”  I’m not saying this is important, but it is funny)

I’ll try to illustrate my point by citing how former NY Yankee Joe Torre used to manage the Yankees.  I recall occasions when Torre would be asked about sensitive topics relating to his players and he’d confront the topics, and find a way to respond with candor, but avoid being disrespectful to his players.   Likewise, Torre sometimes would act decisively in his game decisions.  I recall once, when Roger Clemens just didn’t have it in the early innings of a big playoff game, Torre yanked him after a couple of innings.  I cannot imagine Francona ever yanking one of his starters that early the way Torre did.

In fact, I recall Francona often leaving pitchers in too long – after they’d demonstrated they were not sharp.  Often, he does this with veteran pitchers.  Last year, he was far too patient with John Smoltz, who routinely got knocked around and stayed in the game too long.   Francona has often left knuckleballer Tim Wakefield in too long.   Francona was too patient with former LA Dodger closer, Eric Gagne, after, in 2007, the Sox acquired Gagne at the trading deadline to be a setup reliever, for a half-season.  After Gagne had repeated terrible outings, Francona kept going to him, and he kept getting shelled, and, badly hurt the team in at least a few games.

However, Francona’s handling of pitchers, has still been better than most previous Red Sox managers.  (Gagne didn’t stop the team from winning it all in 2007!)

Francona seems to get along well with Epstein and that’s probably a large key to his long tenure here.  I sense Epstein is a GM who is more involved in monitoring and overseeing day-to-day game decisions than some GMs, but,  Francona seems able to work with Theo.  (Perhaps some would insist on being left alone more)   At times, however, I’ve wished Francona would be more assertive  with Theo too, and tell him, with more urgency, what the team’s needs on the field.

In summary, one cannot argue with Francona’s record.   His teams have, for the most part, performed well.  His players seem to respect him and cite his fairness, decency and his role in creating a good climate for enjoying their long season with their teammates.

Francona has experienced some fairly serious health problems through the years, including a circulatatory problem.  I personally sense he might not want to manage much longer and that perhaps his health might influence that decision.  I wouldn’t be surprised if John Farrell, if he’s still here, gets chosen to succeed Francona.

No matter what one thinks of Francona, no one can dispute that he’s outlasted almost all of his predecessors.  As Red Sox managers go, he’s a survivor.   He must be doing something right.

AJ: A Toast to Peter Gammons

As 2009 winds down, I want to pay tribute to my favorite baseball reporter, Peter Gammons, who has made a unique contribution to baseball over the past 40 years.  

Gammons, a Hall of Fame member,  just left ESPN after 20 years, and will start in new part-time jobs in 2010 with MLB Network and New England Sports Network (NESN), the cable station that covers the Red Sox.

It’s rare to be able to single out one reporter who has influenced you in a significant way, but, I feel I can say that about Peter Gammons. 

Gammons has had a tremendous influence on my own appreciation of baseball.  I’ve always found his enthusiasm infectious.  In fact, sometimes, he cannot contain his own enthusiasm and intrigue as he’s reporting on some baseball development.   He spontaneously, excitedly adds nuggets of information as he updates his television audience. 

Like many New Englanders, I was lucky enough to read Gammons’  Sunday notes column in the Sunday edition of the Boston Globe years ago.  I would pounce on that section eager to learn of any news tidbits or developments impacting the Red Sox.    Red Sox fans grew accustomed to Gammons’ strengths, which, to this day, stand out in a world of sportswriting that may be technologically advanced, but is often lacking a thoroughness or originality.

First, Gammons has always been a damned good reporter on baseball.   He always found out FAR more than other reporters.  To say he “got more scoops” would be the understatement of the century.  I don’t think I can identify any other reporter who has covered one of the major sports who has so consistently out-reported his peers by such a large margin.

For Gammons, that superlative reporting has always applied to the Red Sox.  Because Gammons got his start on the Boston Globe and is from this area, he always has made it his business to keep his first-hand knowledge of the Sox at the highest level.   He used to share his insights and updates about the struggles of Red Sox management, the players and their farm system.   

 What’s remarkable is that while at ESPN reporting on all of baseball, Gammons OFTEN – and, I mean, a countless number of occasions  - has reported original material on the Red Sox, routinely  ”scooping” the baseball writers from the Globe, Boston Herald and all other Boston media.

 One example, in recent years, illustrates this:  Gammons once reported that Sox’ Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka had found it difficult to grip and throw the baseball in the US because it was a bit larger than the baseball in Japan.   This was fascinating, important news to any Red Sox fan, but, I didn’t find anyone but Gammons providing this information.   Another time, Gammons quoted Sox pitching coach John Farrell as saying that he and Dice-K had decided he should use less of his many different pitches in order to be more effective.  

This typifies Gammons’ contributions.  He ventures into areas that no other reporters even attempt to go.  He’s the one who doesn’t let important ground go uncovered while others sit back and add nothing. 

As the years have passed, I’ve realized the extent to which Gammons has built and maintained such a rich array of sources.  I think he’s been able to maintain those sources partly because of the kind of person he is.  People like and respect him.  They know he loves baseball, and, they enjoy opening up to him.  Gammons has sources at every level — whether it’s GMs, pitching coaches, scouts or guys familiar with who’s coming up at the Cape Cod League.

Of course, I’ve noticed Gammons’ flaws and mistakes over time, also.  I think he’s chosen to be a bit easy on some of the steroid abusers, for example.  On occasion, he wrote endlessly about a few hot Red Sox prospects, who eventually didn’t make it in the big leagues.  (Frank Rodriguez comes to mind)  Sometimes, I think Gammons has gotten so close to a few players that it distorted his capacity to report objectively on them.  (Alex Rodriguez, for example, who chose to speak to Gammons first to admit his use of steroids)  Sometimes Gammons has seemed to reverse himself rather dramatically on certain people in baseball.  (Dan Duquette, for example)

Sometimes, I’ve wondered how Gammons can avoid being overly influenced by his apparent close relationships with Sox GM Theo Epstein or Yanks GM Brian Cashman.  How can he report objectively on the Sox and Yanks?  I’ve wondered.  Yet, in the end, when I consider Gammons’ contributions, his flaws or mistakes are ridiculously overshadowed. 

Once in the late 1980s, as my brother and I were leaving Fenway Park after the Red Sox had lost a close game, by chance, we found ourselves walking in proximity to Gammons, who was heading out himself – probably on his way to interview a ball player.  My brother spontaneously asked him what he thought about how the game ended.   Gammons, without a moment’s hesitation, made a spontaneous, specific remark about closer Lee Smith’s inability to throw inside.   Then, he disappeared into the crowd.  I recalled thinking:  “Gammons was just as intense and enthusiastic then as he is on television.”

Gammons has always pursued the details about baseball.   Often, unsurprisingly, Gammons has shared his expertise about pitchers, commenting on how or why a pitcher was effective or ineffective in a big playoff game, for instance.   It’s the details, after all, that make baseball so fun to follow.

I can think of times I’ve waited in my car, in the parking lot at the grocery store before going in just so I could hear Gammons’ guest spot on a radio sports talk show.  “I’ve got to hear Gammons,” I’d tell my daughter, who eventually realized that the “Gammons” name had special meaning

Now, Gammons is so respected that his colleagues openly defer to him whenever a major development unfolds in baseball.   Everyone wants to know:   “What does Peter think?”

Gammons has reached that status through a lot of hard work, and, he’s someone who deserves it.

I am fortunate that I’ll see Gammons frequently on NESN in 2010.  We need more sportswriters like him.

AJ: Cubs should act more, wait less

Big Mike:  I like Part One of your Plan for the Cubs.   I don’t want to rub it in, but the Red Sox are doing most of those things — and that won’t surprise you.  I recall when they started redefining scouts’ duties by area;  in particular, their efforts to establish ties to baseball in Japan.  Of course, that took off when they signed Daisuke Matsuzaka.  I’ll wait for your next installment before responding more, but, right now, I’m compelled to comment on one important point:

Your strategic thinking is impressive, but what have the Cubs done when things go wrong?  What will Hendry and Company do in 2010 when things start to unfold and they have to deal with unforeseen developments?

What I sense with the Cubs is that when a bad GM or manager is in place, everyone waits around – rolls their eyes – and waits for that person to leave.  Good plans are important, but, a team has to take action to address problems and situations as they unfold.  The Cubs dont’ do that well, do they?

There has to be a high standard, and, then, a dynamic that when certain things are not happening, management will find ways to MAKE them happen.  So, for example, when Grady Little left Pedro Martinez in Game 7 of the 2003 ACLS in one of the worst managerial blunders ever,  the Sox team of Henry/Lucchino/Epstein decided to fire Little.   Some might say that was easy, but, in the old days, Little would have been retained for 2004.  Instead, Terry Francona was hired and you know the rest.  A second example:  The Sox hiring of pitching coach John Farrell, who will be around for at least one more year.  I don’t know how they enticed Farrell to come to Boston, but, as I’ve written here, I think, Farrell is such an outstanding person to have with this team.  The best communicator about pitching the Sox have had in my lifetime.  He’s got leadership skills, people skills — The pitchers love Farrell and respect him.

These personnel decisions are KEY – and how the manager and GM communicate with players.  In Boston, players in recent years have felt management at least tries to treat them decently, apprise them of things and put them in a position to win.  I’ll discuss the relationship between Theo Epstein and Francona another time.

By the way, the rumors are swirling all over the place today about the Sox going after Roy Halliday – for Clay Buccholz and, maybe Casey Kelly, their great young prospect.

AJ: Matsuzaka May Re-emerge in 2010

Will Daisuke Matsuzaka return to top form for the Red Sox in 2010?

Dice-K was “the forgotten man” for the Red Sox in 2009.  A hidden asset.  He developed arm problems so early that he missed most of the season and made only a small contribution.  His absence hurt the team as the Sox were forced to use both Brad Penny and John Smoltz as starters in the first half – with only limited success.  Penny started well, but faded badly, and Smoltz, who the team was exceedingly patient with, never found his groove.

If Matsuzaka can return to top form, it would have a huge impact on the Red Sox, who, would then have a fourth first-rate starter to go with Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Clay Buccholz.   Tim Wakefield is slated to return as the fifth starter.

I think Matsuzaka has a good chance to be a solid contributor in 2010.

What’s amazing is the extent to which expectations for Dice-K have diminished so much since his much-heralded introduction to the Red Sox in 2007.   He’s been through some real ups and downs, and, in Boston, where everything is dramatized and exaggerated by the Boston sports media.   It’s tough to play here – and more tougher if you’re Japanese and just getting familiar to the culture – and the routines both on and off the field.

For instance, even though Matsuzaka finished his 2008 season in Boston with an amazing  18 – 3 record, outsiders would be baffled at the constant criticism he took on talk radio and from the sports media.  You see, his record was misleading because Dice-K, for the large majority of starts in 2008, lasted only five innings or a tiny bit more.  He had a bad habit of throwing too many pitches in the early innings and his short outings took a toll on the bullpen.   He tended to “nibble” on the corners rather than challenge hitters with strikes when the count got near-full or full;  so, he walked many batters and struggled through many outings.  Yet, in the end, Dice-K pitched brilliantly out of jams.  His record pitching with the bases loaded is incredibly good – and, he won 18 games!

Recent signs suggest that Matsuzaka will at least put himself in the best possible position to succeed in 2010.  I read a Boston Globe report that Matsuzaka plans to return to the US (from Japan) earlier than usual (by late December) to begin his winter work-out program and that he’s considering working out at the Athletes Performance Institute in Phoenix, Arizona – which teammate Dustin Pedroia introduced him to.   Red Sox GM Theo Epstein has said he expects Matsuzaka to show up at 2010 Spring Training in top condition – unlike what happened last spring.

Over last summer, it became common knowledge that the Red Sox felt that Matsuzaka had showed up in less-than-adequate shape for 2009 Spring Training.  Many observers felt he also put extra strain on his arm by pitching in the World Baseball Classic, which also caused him to miss a chunk of spring training.  Regardless, Dice-K had to be totally shut down before starting conditioning from scratch and gradually developing new strength in his shoulder and arm.  Complicating things further, a disagreement between Dice-K and the team emerged over how frequenly he should throw during his recovery period.  At one point, pitching coach John Farrell and manager Terry Francona, each uncharacteristically, criticized Dice-K publicly, and, in rather scolding language.  But, calm was quickly  restored, and, by late August, Matsuzaka was ready to return to the club.  He returned looking thinner and was said to be in great shape.

No one knew what to expect in his first starts back, but, he looked sharp quite quickly.  In fact, his fastball – though not always with the high velocity he had in 2007 – had the old “zip” (movement) on it that he had in 2007 – and hitters were swinging and missing.  His slider looked good- as it usually does.  Dice-K has a number of other pitches that he throws unpredictably. 

Dice-K has pitched quite well for the Red Sox since they signed him before the 2007 season.  His record in 2007 was 15 – 12;  he then posted a stunning record of 18 – 3 in 2008 before finishing his limited 2009 with a 4 – 6 record.

When he arrived in 2007, there was much hope he’d be a real star like he was in Japan.  After only a few starts, however, it became clear that Matsuzaka faced new, different obstacles in the US.  First, it was learned later, he found he had to make a major adjustment to throwing the American baseball, which is a bit larger than the baseball in Japan.  I believe this has significantly influenced Dice-K’s entire experience in the US.  Sometimes, you notice he seems to suddenly throw balls way out of the strike zone sort of “out of the blue” and his control has rarely been consistently good for several consecutive games.   Often he walks four or five players during a start.

Plus, apparently, Dice-K has chosen to not throw his changeup that often in the US even though it was his BEST pitch in Japan!  The reason, again, is apparently related to the different “feel” he gets with the baseball here.

Though I found this fact about his changeup a major Sox news development, it has barely received any attention among Boston baseball writers.  Instead, ESPN’s Peter Gammons, in a column, wrote about Matsuzaka having to adjust which pitches he used and Gammons quoted Sox pitching coach John Farrell.  I remember Farrell, at the end of the 2008 season, saying he and Dice-K had agreed to remove more than one pitch from his repertoire in order to be more effective.

In addition, Matsuzaka had never faced the tough, experienced hitters he faced in the American League East.  Interestingly, in his first couple of starts against the Yankees in 2007, I remember he survived decently by using his breaking pitches.  The Yankees weren’t as accustomed to facing a pitcher who threw so many breaking pitches in fastball counts.  

Yet, the Red Sox have repeatedly urged Matsuzaka to be unafraid to use his fastball more often, and, whenever necessary, to put away hitters.  If Dice-K can retain the movement on his fastball he had at the end of the 2009 season, he could start 2010 in fine condition.   If his fastball works OK, Dice-K’s assortment of breaking pitches – slider, curve, cutter, occasional splitter, and occasional changeup – become much tougher to connect on.

I think the Red Sox expect good things from Matsuzaka in 2010 even though many fans have less patience with him.   2010 may be his last great chance to shine in Boston because:  a) If he fails, the Sox may grow tired after all they’ve invested in him and he may be traded;  b) His arm does have a lot of wear and tear on it from years in Japan, so he’s a bit past his prime; and, c) The Sox will have given him every chance to succeed, and, if he doesn’t they could still probably pull a trade because his salary is only $8 million.  (The Sox payment of $51 million just to win the rights to talk to Dice-K back when they signed him would not be a factor in a hypothetical trade).

My money is on Dice-K returning to win at least 15 games in 2010, if he’s healthy.