Game 76

Final Score:

Boston Red Sox 2, New York Yankees 4

Fire Terry Francona. And no, not just because of his idiocy in pulling Wakefield WAAAAY to early last night, although this article sums my feelings up on that score pretty well (and props to redsox.com for posting an article that didn't pull any punches). The Red Sox committed another two errors last night. They completely squandered a bases-loaded-and-nobody-out opportunity. It seems clear to me that there is leadership lacking in the Sox dugout and clubhouse and that this is the reason why a team with such enormous potential is playing .500 ball. I could go on, but what's the point? I'm just going to end up being frustrated again, maybe even as soon as tonight. Something needs to be done.

Two choice quotes from the article above:
1. "I need a strikeout here." - Terry Francona to Tim Wakefield when he pulled him in the sixth. Clearly you don't need to rely on your excellent starting pitcher at all, Terry. That would be foolish.
2. "Little was the designated villain. Even when Little was fired, Red Sox fans were not completely satisfied. It didn't seem like punishment enough for the pain and suffering and emotional anguish that Game 7 loss created. But outright dismissal had to do, because the practice of burning people at the stake had been tried and later discredited in Massachusetts." It certainly would inspire the managers to be more careful if the threat of burning was applied, though.

Mueller may be back in action as soon as Friday against Atlanta - maybe the surgery was the cure for what ailed him? Williamson left the game last night with some sort of arm injury, but I haven't seen an update on his status, so I don't know if he'll be on the DL again...hopefully not. Strangely enough, after reading this article about the Riviera and a few other ones on Boston.com, I feel good enough (misery loves company?) to the usual callout: YANKEES SUCK!