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Fenway: The Globe Theatre of the USA  

In reading about the Red Sox over these last few weeks, I can't help but get the feeling that I'm not reading about a baseball team but rather a Shakespearean tragedy. For starters, we have the 3 witches from Macbeth, stirring the cauldron, "Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble." In this case the three are Henry, Werner, and Lucchino, and although they may not be causing the "toil and trouble" the Red Sox are deep in right now, they certainly don't appear to be doing anything much to change the current situation in the Red Sox clubhouse. Even though John Henry came out in support of Bobby V by writing an e-mail that was distributed to all the media members of the baseball world that Valentine's head was not on the chopping block, somehow Henry's letter didn't do much to assuage the issues still circulating around Fenway. Henry said that Valentine was here to stay but there wasn't any of the catch-phrases usually associated with one of these "support" missives. There was no "we have his back" or "he is our guy", etc. and maybe that's a good thing because too much damning with faint praise is usually a certain indicator of impending doom. So maybe Bobby V is "the man" at least until the Red Sox season ends in September or they make the playoffs...whichever comes first. After that, it's anybody's guess as to Valentine's future but let's just say that I hope he hasn't unpacked the moving boxes. To me, that situation would be unfathomable: these guys hired Bobby V and now it appears they are hanging him out to dry by not supporting him and instead they are listening to the "rat" that is running to the three witches and telling tales behind Bobby's back.

Iago (the "rat") from Othello was a character who told lies and stories because of his hatred of Othello (Bobby V) and whoever this "rat" (Iago) is in the clubhouse he certainly isn't doing anyone any favors. This team can ill afford any more of this nonsense and some of the fans (Just like the chorus in a play by Shakespeare) I talked to at the game last Saturday all had the same answer when I asked them what should be done to the "rat" if he is discovered: to a person they all said the same thing, "He should be executed!" Oooops, sorry that's what happened in Othello. What they really said is that he should be fired immediately, regardless of cost or who it is because this guy doesn't belong in baseball. At least not on the Red Sox roster.

But let's move the team from tragedy to non-tragedy. What is needed now is for a magician-like figure (read Prospero in Shakespeare's THE TEMPEST) to call up a storm and shake things up. Now, the "storm" could be something like a team meeting, a trade, a chat with the pitching coaches, or a well-placed word in the ear of the "rat" to cease and desist - or else! If Bobby V does indeed have the backing of the big 3, then he could assume the role of the magician, and bring the magic of playing baseball back into the team. Or it could be any trusted team player, someone that has the respect of the team and represents the heart of the ballclub...Big Papi, maybe? It almost doesn't matter who it is, but a strong personality is needed to bring some cohesiveness back.

Any takers out there, Red Sox?

PS: To the gentleman I met in Johnny's last Sunday morning, a chance at tickets are always a good thing.

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Good (Thursday) Morning Nation - just got home from today's slugfest loss and had two comments I had to make.

One: Lavarnway can't hit his way out of a wet paper napkin. Must have left 6 men on in scoring position. He makes Kelly Shoppach look like an all-star. Keep Kelly as #2, send Lavarnway back to Pawtucket as soon as Papi is healthy.

Two: Realizing with the other experts in Field Box 55 that the difference between a solid, succesful pitching staff and ours may be quite simple: when a Rangers pitcher got in trouble, lost his groove, out came Mike Maddux to talk to him, calm him down, make some recommendations, I don't know... And Ron Washington pulled them before they lost it completely (except for Oswalt in the 7th)... Not once did a pitching coach or a manager come out of the Red Sox dugout, except to make a change when it was already too late. Is McLure still with the team? You never see him, except on NESN picking up the bullpen phone...

Just sayin'...

PS: kudos to Texas slugger Josh Hamilton - whatever his past troubles, he is a class act. Watched and enjoyed his on-deck interactions with a bunch of young kids in the first row in front of us, as he shook hands, bumped fists, got a couple of brothers a bat and even cajoled the bat boy into giving a couple extra balls to another couple of kids. Refreshing to see a player willing to spend some time (during the game!) making some young fans' day. Wish more stars acknowledged the ticketholders!

Doc from Vermont

Another frustating Beckett appearance! Why is he still going out there? Either there is a serious physical problem or as he so often appears he just doen't give a rat's behind about pitching in Boston as long as the paychecks keep coming in on time. When watching synchronized swimming looks better then I am really beyond hope. I hate to say it, but I am on the edge of falling into "wait til next year" mode.

Marty S

To Mark C. * Holliston - I totally agree with you! Don & Jerry have made this season enjoyable. They are the reason that I pay to get NESN and it's so worth it. I have even more respect for them this season. Imagine having to broadcast every single one of these games with the way the Red Sox have been playing? Yet, they do it night after night and keep us informed and entertained in the process. I just love them for it! We are so lucky to have them as our broadcasters.

Cathy * Wesley Chapel, FL

Jim, If you say the words for RBI, you can use the more familiar word Ribby (sp).

Nancy, I am talking the time before Tito was fired. They talked to Farrell before it happened. I do not know why talks stopped. It could have been because of Farrell's loyalty to Tito.

Mark, Is this a sports venue or an English lit class?

Tony * Ashland