142 replies to this topic

[dynomite]

"If there weren't issues here last year I wouldn't be here. ... It's an incredible city, it's an incredible organization. ... There's a lot of things here that make it a natural fit. But that is by no means a given to have success; we have a lot of work to do."

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

This is baseball porn as far as I'm concerned. Seeing problems and fixing them? Learning from past mistakes? Developing trust and respect with the players? HOLY SHIT WHAT A CONCEPT.

I am saving this post for sometime around next July when Farrell does something that causes you to do $10k in structural damage to your living room.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Can anyone tell if Cafardo is weeping quietly in the back of the room as he holds a Topps Brad Ausmus card?

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

I am saving this post for sometime around next July when Farrell does something that causes you to do $10k in structural damage to your living room.

I don't do that unless I'm bitterly opposed to the hire from the start, oh LIKE I WAS WITH BOBBY GODDAMN VALENTINE.

[jacklamabe65]

Dick Williams was a good baseball man and a very good manager in his time. But the changes in MLB culture over the past four+ decades are such that he could not succeed today. Hell, even back when he was in his prime as a manager he drove his players so hard that he burned them out after a few seasons. If he were to return today, my guess is that his tenure would be very much like the one year disaster that was the Bobby Valentine shitshow.

Romanticize the Impossible Dream Sox all you want, but I can't understand why anyone would wish for the second coming of Dick Williams.

I was talking about his actual voice - he SOUNDS like Dick Williams.

[JimBoSox9]

That's just a frickin' awesome answer to the '88 Indians question. Total factual recall and punching the point. Fappity fap fap.

[Marbleheader]

Like him so far. Like the Sox unIRONed CURTAIN

[dynomite]

"I still think there is a very strong core group of players here. ... [Says the bullpen was a strength and allowed for solid LH/RH matchups] We do need some work in the rotation. In talking to Jon and Clay already, they're very eager to get going."

[ScubaSteveAvery]

I'm a bit too excited. But this is the first time in a year where I feel the Sox have a plan, and that the baseball Ops folks have some control again. It may just be purely perceptual, but its refreshing to hear some of the stuff said by Farrell.

[SoxScout]

"THERE CAN BE NO CONFUSION IN MESSAGE TO THE PLAYERS"

[Marbleheader]

Stting accountability and procedure, don't bypass pitching coach.

[ScubaSteveAvery]

Talks about how its important that he not bypass the pitching coach in dealing with pitchers. I like the reinforcement of chain of command and clear lines of communication.

[Pearl Wilson]

I'm not able to see or hear it live but I assume this will close with the singing of Kumbaya.

[JimBoSox9]

he said 'drawing cards' again.

[rembrat]

I'm a bit too excited. But this is the first time in a year where I feel the Sox have a plan, and that the baseball Ops folks have some control again. It may just be purely perceptual, but its refreshing to hear some of the stuff said by Farrell.

You should be. Everyone should be. The people that are poo-pooing this move but were seal clapping Valentine at last year's press conference need a swift kick to the nads.

[ScubaSteveAvery]

No communication barriers with baseball ops on giving honest opinions on players. Seems comfortable talking with all the baseball people.

[Greg29fan]

says Bard is NOT injured

[SoxScout]

"Bard is not injured. Gives you every reason to believe he can regain ability."

[JimBoSox9]

You should be. Everyone should be. The people that are poo-pooing this move but were seal clapping Valentine at last year's press conference need a swift kick to the nads.

In case you were wondering: http://sonsofsamhorn...ce-game-thread/

[Savin Hillbilly]

Who's the guy who sounds like a cross between Randy Newman and Jimmy Durante?

[dynomite]

"This can be a simple game if you treat it simply. First pitch strike, first out of the inning, first run of the game."

That's a really great way of putting it. Color me impressed. LOVE LOVE LOVE talk of "attacking the strike zone."

Edited by dynomite, 23 October 2012 - 11:40 AM.

[jacklamabe65]

Who's the guy who sounds like a cross between Randy Newman and Jimmy Durante?

WBZ's longtime radio man, Johnny Miller.

[mabrowndog]

The fawning and shock in this thread over how impressive Farrell is as a speaker, and how great a communicator he appears to be, is surprising. It's like none of you ever listened to any of his interviews when he was pitching coach here. The guy had obvious command of the room and subject matter back then.

Can anyone tell if Cafardo is weeping quietly in the back of the room as he holds a Topps Brad Ausmus card?

He's still at church lighting candles for Mike Aviles.

[SoxScout]

Ortiz and Farrell had a long conversation in the clubhouse this morning

[pjr]

"treat them like men."

Talking about the players. Amen. Fuck you Bobby Valentine.

It will be interesting to hear what Valentine has to say tonight in his interview with Bob Costas on NBCSC @ 10:00.

[Average Reds]

I was talking about his actual voice - he SOUNDS like Dick Williams.

Oh, well then never mind

/Emily Litella

[SoxScout]

"first and foremost, the pitchers need to take care of themselves physically to get to where they need to be"

"Frequent one inning stints is where Bard needs to be."

"Roster and flexibility is extremely exciting."

"My recommendation is for players to stay off social media and focus on what you can control in your lives."

Edited by SoxScout, 23 October 2012 - 11:47 AM.

[JimBoSox9]

"This can be a simple game if you treat it simply. First pitch strike, first out of the inning, first run of the game."

That's a really great way of putting it. Color me impressed. LOVE LOVE LOVE talk of "attacking the strike zone."

Yeah, that was cool - I think what he said was "this can be a simple game if you treat it as a game of firsts". The coach in me likes that message.

The fawning and shock in this thread over how impressive Farrell is as a speaker, and how great a communicator he appears to be, is surprising. It's like none of you ever listened to any of his interviews when he was pitching coach here. The guy had obvious command of the room and subject matter back then.

You're confusing shock with catharsis, I think.

Edit: I also hadn't suffered a year of the BV5 experience last time Farrell was in town for an extended stay. Makes a person adjust their expectations on the minimum verbal performance by a sentient human being.

Edited by JimBoSox9, 23 October 2012 - 11:46 AM.

[Marbleheader]

Farrell sounds like John Candy

[Marbleheader]

Ben on NESN: Why was Farrell the guy you wanted? We need to make sure we use our resources to help players and help them improve. Relationships can't be one sided. Had input as pitching coach on trades, provided good insight.

[AlNipper49]

This is sadly not hyperbole but based on the press conference alone, John Farrell is already the 2nd best Red Sox manager of my lifetime

[MyDaughterLovesTomGordon]

This is just making me more and more angry that we had to endure a year of Bobby V. How in the world did he get the job and keep it for the entire year? How could he possibly have interviewed well enough to mask his horrible communication skills?

[SoxScout]

"I've had this GM job for 12 months and I've spent it all searching for a manager or working out compensation."

[rembrat]

This is just making me more and more angry that we had to endure a year of Bobby V. How in the world did he get the job and keep it for the entire year? How could he possibly have interviewed well enough to mask his horrible communication skills?

I'm honestly starting to believe LL knew this would happen and said "Fuck it." I mean, he is an evil genius, right?

[E5 Yaz]

Farrell sounds like John Candy

But which one sounds more like Dick Williams

[ScubaSteveAvery]

"I've had this GM job for 12 months and I've spent it all searching for a manager or working out compensation."

Was this just an offhand joke? Or was he being serious?

[Red(s)HawksFan]

This is just making me more and more angry that we had to endure a year of Bobby V. How in the world did he get the job and keep it for the entire year? How could he possibly have interviewed well enough to mask his horrible communication skills?

This is how I'm feeling too. And from what has been said, it appears Alex Anthopoulos is as much to blame for the Bobby V error as Lucchino and company. Anthopoulos denied the Red Sox permission to talk to Farrell last winter and went so far as to create a new policy to back himself up on the decision.

It's become crystal clear that Farrell was their target from the moment Tito walked out the door, and Valentine was only a seat-warmer. A disastrous seat-warmer, but one nonetheless. It's almost like they decided they didn't want to hire anyone who might actually earn themselves a contract extension and prevent them from going after Farrell again when he became available. Mission accomplished.

Farrell on EEI just now broke down Lester's mechanics and what might be wrong, talking about his stride and angle of approach. That is SO encouraging to hear out of a manager.

[SoxScout]

Joke. He also said they have both FA and trade targets lined up, they have already talked with teams.

[Toe Nash]

Glad we have the best manager in the history of baseball. Problems solved!

Any questions about the Yunel Escobar stuff? Thought not.

Edit: As I've said in the other thread, it's a good decision and I'm glad they made it. But as posted earlier, there's a lot of koolaid here and we don't know shit yet about how much they'll improve.

Edited by Toe Nash, 23 October 2012 - 12:02 PM.

[rembrat]

Any questions about the Yunel Escobar stuff? Thought not.

Was the Yunel Escobar stuff baseball related? Thought not.

Why are you so interested in hoopla? Didn't you get your fill with Valentine?

[SoxScout]

"The clubhouse is the players, its the players sanctuary, but there will be professionalism."

On Vizquel: "Completely uninformed."

"Talked to Tito a couple of times, a couple of times of late, Tito was pumped up I was getting this job."

Edited by SoxScout, 23 October 2012 - 12:05 PM.

[Toe Nash]

Was the Yunel Escobar stuff baseball related? Thought not.

Why are you so interested in hoopla? Didn't you get your fill with Valentine?

I'm interested in the way a manager handles problem situations, since they are pretty likely to happen in Boston no matter the players or manager.

But yes, everyone who isn't 100% gung-ho about the move clearly wants Bobby back.

I'm done.

[SoxScout]

"Coaches get too little credit and too little blame. There WILL BE a lot of quality and cohesion on this coaching staff." - Larry

[Rough Carrigan]

The fawning and shock in this thread over how impressive Farrell is as a speaker, and how great a communicator he appears to be, is surprising. It's like none of you ever listened to any of his interviews when he was pitching coach here. The guy had obvious command of the room and subject matter back then.



He's still at church lighting candles for Mike Aviles.

All Farrell has to do is give all the anonymous quotes for one of Cafardo's future columns and Nick'll be sucking his dick pronto.
"An AL East baseball official said . . . "
"But one MLB manager disagreed, saying . . . "
"A former pitching coach added that . . . "

[Carl Everetts Therapist]

So is this Francona 2.0 ???

Highly respected manager/baseball guy prior losing record etc.

I remember that Francona always touted Farrell as the next great manager and that it would be nice if Farrell could stick around long enough to replace him. Obviously Tito didn't mean in the nature that it happened.

And no I'm not expecting him live up to Francona like expectations.

Wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if it was Francona redux.

[mabrowndog]

Two questions I'd like to have heard:

1. "How were you able to reconcile the organization's post-departure leaks regarding Francona's personal life (divorce, prescription drug allegations) and your strong relationships with baseball ops?"

2. "While you say Tito expressed his happiness for your getting this job, did anything related to his departure and those leaks come up in your discussions and how were they addressed?"

Not because I want to revisit that tabloid crap, but I think there are valid issues of top-down involvement and leadership that still haven't been properly vetted.

Edited by mabrowndog, 23 October 2012 - 12:25 PM.

[SoxScout]

"Clearly Torey Lovullo is coming to Boston. The question is if Boston can get Ausmus to leave the west coast for a bench coach job." Gammons

[JimD]

Two questions I'd like to have heard:

1. "How were you able to reconcile the organization's post-departure leaks regarding Francona's personal life (divorce, prescription drug allegations) and your strong relationships with baseball ops?"

2. "While you say Tito expressed his happiness for your getting this job, did anything related to his departure and those leaks up in your discussions and how were they addressed?"

Not because I want to revisit that tabloid crap, but I think there are valid issues of top-down involvement and leadership that still haven't been properly vetted.

Farrell wouldn't touch those questions with a ten-foot pole.

[amh03]

This is just making me more and more angry that we had to endure a year of Bobby V. How in the world did he get the job and keep it for the entire year? How could he possibly have interviewed well enough to mask his horrible communication skills?

Just curious what folks think - if Farrell had been manager last year, do you think we'd still have Beckett, Crawford, etc. on the team? Was BV's presence the impetus for getting them out the door?

[JimBoSox9]

"Clearly Torey Lovullo is coming to Boston. The question is if Boston can get Ausmus to leave the west coast for a bench coach job." Gammons

As awesome as this seems on the face of it, is it a good idea for the runner-up of a job interview process to go to work for the winner as a subordinate? Strong ties and all, but it's not hard to see that being a potentially touchy issue.