Co-sign on all this. Changed our lives immeasurably.
View: https://twitter.com/gfstarr1/status/1472997656796569602?s=21
View: https://twitter.com/gfstarr1/status/1472997656796569602?s=21
Agreed. He made the impossible possible.Co-sign on all this. Changed our lives immeasurably.
View: https://twitter.com/gfstarr1/status/1472997656796569602?s=21
Co-sign on all this. Changed our lives immeasurably.
View: https://twitter.com/gfstarr1/status/1472997656796569602?s=21
Truly a pivotal moment for the organization. Thank you.
And to think. Frank McCourt could have won the bidding for the Sox.Agreed. He made the impossible possible.
Anyway. Whenever that time comes, that there is an actual need for a new stadium (hopefully not till I am dead) it’s going to be carbon copy of the current Fenway.Oh, but we could have had a new stadium by the harbor...
Seriously, definitely the best possible outcome.
He's gearing up to sell the team any day now.I heard he's too cheap to spend the money neccesary in a market like Boston
Which is a good thing, because he’s clearly too distracted by all of his dabbling in other sports ventures to help the Sox be competitive.He's gearing up to sell the team any day now.
CHB wanted Frank McCourt to get the team because he was a local guy. A fraudulent, incompetent local guy, but a local guy nonetheless.Remember CHB’s incessant whining that Henry’s winning bid was a “bag job”? The bidding process and insular nature of MLB’s approval process invariably makes it an inside game, but kudos to Henry for knowing the process and the people, and for playing it better (and for having the cash). Clearly CHB’s rants were fueled by where his sources were inside potential ownership groups. Clown show.
Thank you, Mr. Henry, for giving us joy.
He wasn't a Joe O'Donnell guy?CHB wanted Frank McCourt to get the team because he was a local guy. A fraudulent, incompetent local guy, but a local guy nonetheless.
DeOssie and Callahan were pushing O’Donnell about a section in my book in which I describe a trip O’Donnell and John Henry took to the Boston waterfront in January 2002, after the Red Sox had agreed to sell the team to Henry and Tom Werner but before their ownership had been finalized. At the time, O’Donnell and Henry were discussing joining forces. The section reads as follows:
At around one in the morning, O’Donnell suggested he and Karp drive Henry out to a waterfront location where they wanted to build a new ballpark for the team. Henry was sufficiently concerned about the prospect of an after-midnight trip to Boston’s waterfront that he called [financial advisor] David Ginsberg to tell him where he was headed, and with whom.
“Joe played me recordings of voicemails from the house speaker, the mayor, and another who were reacting to Joe’s losing out on the Red Sox,” Henry wrote in an email he sent to his lawyers and several of his partners that morning at 3:05 am. “He talked a lot about the sports media and the Herald being in his corner or something to that effect.” Henry told how O’Donnell had asked that he be made managing partner “if something happened to you.” “That,” Henry wrote, “was a little scary.”
My memory is that CHB was an O'Donnell guy. I remember listening to CHB and Barnicle on Barnicle's old radio show (don't judge, I had limited radio options in the building I was working in at the time), and they both seemed to be fully behind Joe O'Donnell and Steve Karp as the local guys.He wasn't a Joe O'Donnell guy?
Dolan got booted because it was supposed to be closed bid and he open bid in order to try to bully everyone else out. There was also the issue of his family owning the Indians, and the Yawkey perespective that that would delay the sale.
O'Donnell's bid simply wasn't big enough period. They were relying on local political and media muscle to push it to them at a cheaper price.
The Prentice bid was just fiction--"I don't have the money now, but give me six months!"
McCourt never made sense. The theory was he'd trade his parking lots to build a stadium for the team he would now own. Incomprehensible, much like his management of the Dodgers.
MLB rigged it to the extent that they orchestrated Henry coming in to the Werner-Otten deal, which made it the best offer, but the result was more $$$ for the Yawkey Foundation.
All of the other ownerships would have been bad except maybe O'Donnell, and I suspect O'Donnell would have been bad too.
Say what you will about Will McDounough, he was loyal to his friends, no matter how many people they killed.My memory was that it was Will McDonough who almost single-handedly set fire to his reputation by being in the Joe O’Donnell tank because they were friends.
Edit: and here it is. I love this passage which is like straight out of Black Mass:
Year | Team | AL East | G | W | L | T | WP | Pythag | Finish | Behind | Playoffs | R | RA | Attend | Bat.Age | Pitch.Age | #Bat | #Pitch | HighWAR | Manager |
2001 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 161 | 82 | 79 | 0 | .509 | .516 | 2nd of 5 | 13.5 | -- | 772 | 745 | 2,625,333 | 30.0 | 30.9 | 48 | 23 | M.Ramirez (5.2) | J.Williams (65-53) and J.Kerrigan (17-26) |
2000 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 85 | 77 | 0 | .525 | .528 | 2nd of 5 | 2.5 | -- | 792 | 745 | 2,585,895 | 29.3 | 30.2 | 52 | 24 | P.Martinez (11.7) | J.Williams (85-77) |
1999 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 94 | 68 | 0 | .580 | .569 | 2nd of 5 | 4.0 | Lost ALCS (4-1) | 836 | 718 | 2,446,162 | 28.9 | 30.1 | 48 | 25 | P.Martinez (9.8) | J.Williams (94-68) |
1998 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 92 | 70 | 0 | .568 | .583 | 2nd of 5 | 22.0 | Lost ALDS (3-1) | 876 | 729 | 2,314,704 | 28.8 | 29.5 | 47 | 23 | N.Garciaparra (7.1) | J.Williams (92-70) |
1997 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 78 | 84 | 0 | .481 | .497 | 4th of 5 | 20.0 | -- | 851 | 857 | 2,226,136 | 28.0 | 27.8 | 46 | 25 | N.Garciaparra (6.6) | J.Williams (78-84) |
1996 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 85 | 77 | 0 | .525 | .503 | 3rd of 5 | 7.0 | -- | 928 | 921 | 2,315,231 | 28.4 | 28.7 | 55 | 23 | R.Clemens (7.8) | K.Kennedy (85-77) |
1995 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 144 | 86 | 58 | 0 | .597 | .557 | 1st of 5 | -- | Lost ALDS (3-0) | 791 | 698 | 2,164,410 | 28.6 | 29.1 | 53 | 26 | J.Valentin (8.3) | K.Kennedy (86-58) |
1994 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 115 | 54 | 61 | 0 | .470 | .446 | 4th of 5 | 17.0 | -- | 552 | 621 | 1,775,818 | 29.8 | 30.2 | 45 | 23 | R.Clemens (6.0) | B.Hobson (54-61) |
1993 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 80 | 82 | 0 | .494 | .492 | 5th of 7 | 15.0 | -- | 686 | 698 | 2,422,021 | 29.6 | 30.6 | 39 | 16 | D.Darwin (5.7) | B.Hobson (80-82) |
1992 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 73 | 89 | 0 | .451 | .450 | 7th of 7 | 23.0 | -- | 599 | 669 | 2,468,574 | 28.7 | 31.5 | 38 | 16 | R.Clemens (8.7) | B.Hobson (73-89) |
1991 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 84 | 78 | 0 | .519 | .512 | 2nd of 7 | 7.0 | -- | 731 | 712 | 2,562,435 | 28.9 | 30.8 | 39 | 19 | R.Clemens (7.9) | J.Morgan (84-78) |
1990 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 88 | 74 | 0 | .543 | .523 | 1st of 7 | -- | Lost ALCS (4-0) | 699 | 664 | 2,528,986 | 28.9 | 30.6 | 43 | 20 | R.Clemens (10.4) | J.Morgan (88-74) |
Year | Team | AL East | G | W | L | T | WP | Pythag | Finish | Behind | Playoffs | R | RA | Attend | Bat.Age | Pitch.Age | #Bat | #Pitch | HighWAR | Manager |
2021 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 92 | 70 | 0 | .568 | .546 | 2nd of 5 | 8.0 | Lost ALCS (4-2) | 829 | 749 | 1,725,323 | 28.0 | 29.7 | 56 | 37 | X.Bogaerts (4.9) | A.Cora (92-70) |
2020 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 60 | 24 | 36 | 0 | .400 | .417 | 5th of 5 | 16.0 | -- | 292 | 351 | -- | 27.1 | 29.1 | 47 | 30 | A.Verdugo (2.1) | R.Roenicke (24-36) |
2019 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 84 | 78 | 0 | .519 | .539 | 3rd of 5 | 19.0 | -- | 901 | 828 | 2,915,502 | 27.3 | 29.0 | 47 | 28 | M.Betts (7.3) | A.Cora (84-78) |
2018 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 108 | 54 | 0 | .667 | .635 | 1st of 5 | -- | Won WS (4-1) | 876 | 647 | 2,895,575 | 27.7 | 28.9 | 44 | 23 | M.Betts (10.7) | A.Cora (108-54) |
2017 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 93 | 69 | 0 | .574 | .573 | 1st of 5 | -- | Lost ALDS (3-1) | 785 | 668 | 2,917,678 | 27.3 | 28.4 | 49 | 27 | M.Betts (6.4) | J.Farrell (93-69) |
2016 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 93 | 69 | 0 | .574 | .606 | 1st of 5 | -- | Lost ALDS (3-0) | 878 | 694 | 2,955,434 | 28.5 | 29.0 | 50 | 26 | M.Betts (9.5) | J.Farrell (93-69) |
2015 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 78 | 84 | 0 | .481 | .497 | 5th of 5 | 15.0 | -- | 748 | 753 | 2,880,694 | 28.3 | 28.6 | 51 | 26 | M.Betts (6.1) | J.Farrell (78-84) |
2014 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 71 | 91 | 0 | .438 | .445 | 5th of 5 | 25.0 | -- | 634 | 715 | 2,956,089 | 29.2 | 29.9 | 55 | 25 | D.Pedroia (3.9) | J.Farrell (71-91) |
2013 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 97 | 65 | 0 | .599 | .618 | 1st of 5 | -- | Won WS (4-2) | 853 | 656 | 2,833,333 | 29.6 | 30.2 | 48 | 26 | D.Pedroia (6.1) | J.Farrell (97-65) |
2012 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 69 | 93 | 0 | .426 | .457 | 5th of 5 | 26.0 | -- | 734 | 806 | 3,043,003 | 29.4 | 28.7 | 56 | 26 | D.Pedroia (5.1) | B.Valentine (69-93) |
2011 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 90 | 72 | 0 | .556 | .578 | 3rd of 5 | 7.0 | -- | 875 | 737 | 3,054,001 | 30.1 | 30.3 | 49 | 27 | J.Ellsbury (8.3) | T.Francona (90-72) |
2010 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 89 | 73 | 0 | .549 | .543 | 3rd of 5 | 7.0 | -- | 818 | 744 | 3,046,445 | 30.9 | 29.6 | 53 | 25 | A.Beltre (7.8) | T.Francona (89-73) |
2009 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 95 | 67 | 0 | .586 | .577 | 2nd of 5 | 8.0 | Lost ALDS (3-0) | 872 | 736 | 3,062,699 | 30.0 | 29.8 | 52 | 27 | K.Youkilis (6.6) | T.Francona (95-67) |
2008 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 95 | 67 | 0 | .586 | .589 | 2nd of 5 | 2.0 | Lost ALCS (4-3) | 845 | 694 | 3,048,250 | 29.8 | 29.2 | 47 | 23 | D.Pedroia (7.0) | T.Francona (95-67) |
2007 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 96 | 66 | 0 | .593 | .624 | 1st of 5 | -- | Won WS (4-0) | 867 | 657 | 2,970,755 | 30.1 | 31.1 | 40 | 20 | J.Beckett (6.5) | T.Francona (96-66) |
2006 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 86 | 76 | 0 | .531 | .497 | 3rd of 5 | 11.0 | -- | 820 | 825 | 2,930,588 | 30.5 | 31.1 | 53 | 28 | D.Ortiz (5.8) | T.Francona (86-76) |
2005 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 95 | 67 | 0 | .586 | .556 | 2nd of 5 | -- | Lost ALDS (3-0) | 910 | 805 | 2,847,888 | 31.3 | 33.6 | 52 | 26 | D.Ortiz (5.2) | T.Francona (95-67) |
2004 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 98 | 64 | 0 | .605 | .596 | 2nd of 5 | 3.0 | Won WS (4-0) | 949 | 768 | 2,837,294 | 30.4 | 32.5 | 50 | 26 | C.Schilling (7.7) | T.Francona (98-64) |
2003 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 95 | 67 | 0 | .586 | .578 | 2nd of 5 | 6.0 | Lost ALCS (4-3) | 961 | 809 | 2,724,165 | 29.7 | 31.2 | 47 | 26 | P.Martinez (8.0) | G.Little (95-67) |
2002 | Boston Red Sox | AL East | 162 | 93 | 69 | 0 | .574 | .615 | 2nd of 5 | 10.5 | -- | 859 | 665 | 2,650,862 | 29.9 | 31.1 | 39 | 18 | D.Lowe (7.3) | G.Little (93-69) |
There are so many highs, as RR notes, but there is one that stands out to me. In 4 World Series matchups, with really 4 different Red Sox teams (and three different managers), they are 16-3 against presumably the best the NL had to offer. That is just dominance....
This is 2002 onward. A yo-yo at times - I'll let others supply the highs, which are almost too numerous to list.
...
I am tired of fighting.I was concerned that it would devolve into Festivus for the folks still not over Mookie.
Tough Grader!Happy that the ownership is here. For the most part their stewardship has been good, not perfect. Lots of highs, some lows. B/B+
There are so many highs, as RR notes, but there is one that stands out to me. In 4 World Series matchups, with really 4 different Red Sox teams (and three different managers), they are 16-3 against presumably the best the NL had to offer. That is just dominance.
TBH, while Henry is a very good owner, he’s not the best owner in his own state. Bob Kraft is better.Tough Grader!
World Series Championships, Present back to 2003:
FOUR: Boston (18, 13, 07, 04) and nicely spaced I might add.THREE: SF (14, 12, 10)TWO: STL (11, 06)ONE: ATL (21), LAD (20), WSH (19), HOU (17*), CHC (16), KC (15), NYY (09), PHI (08), CHW (05), FLA (03)FFF my man.
Unless you take into account politics and sex work.TBH, while Henry is a very good owner, he’s not the best owner in his own state. Bob Kraft is better.
The sex work thing is an embarrassment no doubt. And honestly I try to keep the politics out of it. It’s pretty much a given that I’m not going to align with the political bents of a multi millionaire or billionaire.Unless you take into account politics and sex work.
Then Heny is better... as best we know.
Dan Topping and Del Webb are just an A- because the Yanks didn’t win 112 games in 1954 and a bad hop hit Tony Kubek in the throat in 1960.Tough Grader!
World Series Championships, Present back to 2003:
FOUR: Boston (18, 13, 07, 04) and nicely spaced I might add.THREE: SF (14, 12, 10)TWO: STL (11, 06)ONE: ATL (21), LAD (20), WSH (19), HOU (17*), CHC (16), KC (15), NYY (09), PHI (08), CHW (05), FLA (03)FFF my man.
You forgot the NONE category: TB, TOR, BAL, CLE, DET, MN, SEA, OLK, TX, MIL, NYM, CIN, PIT, SDP, COL, AZTough Grader!
World Series Championships, Present back to 2003:
FOUR: Boston (18, 13, 07, 04) and nicely spaced I might add.THREE: SF (14, 12, 10)TWO: STL (11, 06)ONE: ATL (21), LAD (20), WSH (19), HOU (17*), CHC (16), KC (15), NYY (09), PHI (08), CHW (05), FLA (03)FFF my man.
I remember Ted Sarandis on EEI virtually every night after 04 sharing his belief that if the Sox hadn’t won then John Henry would have traded ownerships with McCourt. His reasoning was a doozy too: because McCourt was local and he wanted the Sox.Remember CHB’s incessant whining that Henry’s winning bid was a “bag job”? The bidding process and insular nature of MLB’s approval process invariably makes it an inside game, but kudos to Henry for knowing the process and the people, and for playing it better (and for having the cash). Clearly CHB’s rants were fueled by where his sources were inside potential ownership groups. Clown show.
Thank you, Mr. Henry, for giving us joy.
https://todayincthistory.com/2019/04/30/april-30-new-england-patriots-back-out-of-hartford/TBH, while Henry is a very good owner, he’s not the best owner in his own state. Bob Kraft is better.
Yeah, he *really* cares about Massachusetts...In 1998, Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots pro football team, was seeking a new home for his franchise, which had outgrown their small and outdated stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
After failing to secure stadium deals in South Boston and then Rhode Island, Kraft set his sights on Connecticut. His quest for a new stadium coincided with Governor John Rowland’s dream to revitalize the Hartford riverfront area south of the intersection of interstates 84 and 91, an area that had been rebranded “Adriaen’s Landing” for marketing purposes. Governor John Rowland worked to arrange a ‘sweetheart deal’ worth hundreds of millions of dollars with Kraft that, among other generous incentives, rearranged the development plans for Adriaen’s Landing to revolve around a new state-of-the-art stadium for the Patriots on the banks of the Connecticut River.
Let us also compare this to other ownership teams worldwide, which would include shady Putin connected oligarchs, oppressive autocratic governments (through proxy organizations), and flat out racists. Compared to those guys, I don't see getting a rub and tug from an legal adult non-trafficked immigrant, and donating to a Republican candidate in an election year to be much of anything.The sex work thing is an embarrassment no doubt. And honestly I try to keep the politics out of it. It’s pretty much a given that I’m not going to align with the political bents of a multi millionaire or billionaire.
Hell, Belichick and Brady would be in this bucket too. As would most of the athletes we like.
One of the first rules of negotiating is to always be prepared to walk away. He came back to Foxboro because he showed a willingness to walk away from MA.https://todayincthistory.com/2019/04/30/april-30-new-england-patriots-back-out-of-hartford/
Yeah, he *really* cares about Massachusetts...