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Daily Jolt: 50 More Years at Fenway?

Posted: Apr 3rd 2009 8:00AM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Red Sox, MLB Biz

The Daily Jolt is a dose of baseball reality every weekday morning.

What would a new baseball season be without more renovations at Fenway Park. The ownership group of John Henry, Tom Werner and Larry Lucchino has been committed to overhauling Major League Baseball's oldest and most revered ballpark since it took over in 2002.

In an effort to squeeze every penny out of one of the smallest venues in the majors, they have added seats atop the Green Monster and on the right field roof and converted parts of the luxury .406 Club (now known as the EMC Club) to open-air sections. This year, they upgraded a number of the box seats in the lower seating area as well as adding more seats on the right field roof, making it possible to sell roughly an additional 350 tickets at each home game.

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Daily Jolt: Not More Salary Cap Talk

Posted: Feb 19th 2009 8:30AM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Red Sox, Yankees, MLB Biz

6 COMMENTS

The Daily Jolt is a dose of baseball reality every weekday morning.

Red Sox ownership is at it again. They called for a salary cap in 2004 after the Yankees plucked Alex Rodriguez from under their noses, and after another spending binge in the Bronx this winter -- one which cost them Mark Teixeira, another player they coveted -- they're leading the charge again.

"I think we all agree that competitive balance is an issue," principal owner John Henry told reporters Wednesday in Fort Myers, Fla. "If there was a way to put together an enlightened form of a salary cap, I think everybody among the owners would support that."

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Due to 'Dishonesty' During Mark Teixeira Talks, Red Sox Plan to Boycott Scott Boras

Posted: Jan 11th 2009 4:10PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Red Sox, AL East, MLB Biz

33 COMMENTS

Scott Boras is easily the most powerful agent in sports, and he routinely squeezes extra dollars out of teams for the players he represents. Because of this, his clientele is vast. In turn, the respective front offices of all 30 Major League Baseball teams are forced to deal with him. No mas, say the Red Sox brass in the wake of losing out on Mark Teixeira.

The Sox, meanwhile, are, at least for now, done with Boras. One well-placed source said the club will never deal with him again unless it can be guaranteed that talks are being conducted honestly.

My initial reaction was that this is awesome, and I wish more teams would join the fray. The more I think about it, though, we should be on Boras' side.

Continue Reading Due to 'Dishonesty' During Mark Teixeira Talks, Red Sox Plan to Boycott Scott Boras

Leigh Teixeira Convinced Her Husband Mark to Wear Pinstripes

Posted: Jan 7th 2009 1:45PM by Matt Watson (author feed)
Filed under: Red Sox, Yankees, AL East, MLB Gossip

2 COMMENTS

After being introduced as the newest member of the Yankees, Mark Teixeira revealed to reporters how he was able to make up his mind: by listening to his wife:

"We were really waiting for teams to drop out," Teixeira said. "I said to Leigh, we were sitting at dinner, 'Everything's equal. Where would you want to play?' Finally, she broke down and said, 'I want you to be a Yankee.' That's what did it for me."

Smart man: life is a lot easier when you keep the missus happy. Up until that point, the Yankees were lingering in the background while the Red Sox positioned themselves as the favorite, but once Teixeira told Scott Boras to revive talks, a deal was struck within 11 days.

It's an amusing anecdote ... unless you're a member of Red Sox Nation. Leigh admitted her preference on Dec. 12; Red Sox owner John Henry, president Larry Lucchino and GM Theo Epstein made their trip to Texas on Dec. 18. Had they known they were suddenly the underdogs and not the favorites about to seal the deal, it's likely they would have re-considered the trip.

In hindsight, the trip did prove fruitful, at least from Teixeira's perspective: Boston's final offer provided the leverage Teixeira needed for the Yankees to step up with the highest offer on the table a week later, making Mark and (more importantly, for his sake) Leigh one happy couple.

From the Windup: Is It Time for a Salary Cap?

Posted: Dec 31st 2008 4:15PM by Pat Lackey (author feed)
Filed under: Yankees, MLB Biz, MLB Fans

29 COMMENTS

From the Windup is FanHouse's extended look at a particular portion of America's pastime.

Salary Cap. There's not a more controversial phrase in baseball economics. The prospect of one hung over the strike of 1994 and 1995 before the owners and players managed to settle without implementing a true cap. Since then, baseball has instituted a luxury tax that acts as a sort of soft cap, but it's set high enough that it only really affects the Yankees annually, and they regard it in the same manner that a rhinoceros regards a mosquito.

For the most part, a salary cap hasn't been part of the conversation in baseball for several years. The Yankees ridiculous spending spree this winter, however, has changed things. In the days and weeks since their signings of CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio and Astros owner Drayton McLane have once again begun to call for a salary cap. They're the only two owners to have spoken directly on this issue, but it's hard to think they're alone.

A salary cap in baseball is not a simple thing. In most sports, there's only one line in labor negotiations: the line between the players and the owners. In baseball, there's actually a three-way divide between the players, the "big-market" owners (for lack of a better term), and the "small-market" owners. The MLBPA isn't the only thing that stands in the way of a cap. Some of the owners (think John Henry, the Steinbrenners, naturally, the Wilpons, Frank McCourt, Arte Moreno) would likely be opposed to one as well. After the jump, we'll look at all the obstacles and problems with implementing a cap.

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Apparent Deal for Mark Teixeira Fizzles; What Happened Between Red Sox, Scott Boras?

Posted: Dec 19th 2008 11:45AM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Red Sox, AL East, MLB Rumors

16 COMMENTS

Just as quickly as the Red Sox appeared on the verge of a blockbuster deal for Mark Teixeira, owner John Henry, president Larry Lucchino and general manager Theo Epstein boarded a plane in Dallas and returned home with no deal in hand.

In fact, all they seem to have is the complete opposite, an indication from Teixeira and Boras that an agreement will never be reached.

"We are not going to be a factor," said Henry in an e-mail Thursday night.

If we take that statement at its face value, then Boston has been outbid for Teixeira. That's certainly a possibility, even considering the Red Sox's rumored eight-year, $184 million offer to the first baseman. He's a special player. The Yankees and Angels have the resources to best the Sox. The Nationals seem so wildly intent on landing Teixeira that they too could have topped Boston as well.

But this could all be a negotiating ploy on the part of Henry and the Red Sox.

Continue Reading Apparent Deal for Mark Teixeira Fizzles; What Happened Between Red Sox, Scott Boras?

The Mark Teixeira Rumor Mill Churns On

Posted: Dec 17th 2008 1:45PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Angels, Nationals, Orioles, Red Sox, Yankees, AL East, MLB Rumors

21 COMMENTS

Free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira is expected to make a decision on his new team in the very near future, potentially even in the next 24-to-48 hours. In the meantime, we're all stuck devouring the latest scraps from the rumor mill.

On Tuesday, I wrote that Teixeira should choose the Orioles. Now, according to ESPN's Buster Olney, Baltimore has essentially dropped out of the bidding, by refusing to upgrade its initial seven-year offer.

"The Orioles are out of it, unless Teixeira really, really wants to play there," said one source.

It's not all that surprising that the O's are falling behind in the chase for Teixeira. They can't offer him the chance to be on a winner, at least right away, they don't have the financial resources that the Red Sox, Angels or Yankees do and they aren't a Tom Hicks-esque wild card in the bidding like the Nationals appear to be.

On the flip side of things, the Red Sox appear to have moved to the front of the line for Teixeira's services. A general manager of one of the five teams involved in the bidding told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe as much.

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Theo Epstein Re-Upping With Red Sox

Posted: Sep 16th 2008 5:15PM by Andrew Johnson (author feed)
Filed under: Red Sox, MLB Transactions

1 COMMENT

The architect behind one of the most successful periods in Red Sox history is going to remain in Boston for awhile. General manager Theo Epstein has agreed to a new three-year deal with the team, according to Red Sox owner John Henry.

''We are all on the same page with regard to our vision for the organization," Henry wrote in an e-mail this afternoon. "The negotiations were pleasant and were all about rewarding Theo for the great, great job he has done in bringing two world championships to the Red Sox. We look forward to the difficult task of trying to win a third."

Henry clarified in a later e-mail that while the main negotiations were complete and "lawyers are handling the details," the sides haven't settled all matters.

The last time Epstein's contract was up in 2005, he famously snuck out of Fenway Park in a gorilla suit after resigning his post, partially because of a conflict with team president Larry Lucchino. Epstein returned three months later, and there's been harmony ever since in Boston's front office -- enough at least that the Red Sox will avoid another offseason of speculation about their star GM's job status.

Epstein was hailed as a "boy wonder" when he first took over in Boston. He became the youngest GM in major league history when he was hired in 2002, and two years later he helped the Red Sox end an 86-year title drought.

But Epstein has transcended that moniker over the last two years by delivering another championship in 2007 and cultivating a minor league system that is the envy of baseball -- one that will give Boston a chance to become a dynasty.

Back in 2002, John Henry wanted A's GM Billy Beane to lead the Red Sox. When Beane backed out after initially accepting Henry's contract offer, the job fell to Epstein. Six years later, not even Beane, a brilliant executive in his own right, can lay claim to the title of best GM in the game. Epstein stands alone on that mountain.

Did Manny Ramirez Tank an At-Bat? Maybe!

Posted: Jul 18th 2008 4:32PM by Eamonn Brennan (author feed)
Filed under: Red Sox, AL East, MLB Gossip

3 COMMENTS

Manny Ramirez and the Boston Red Sox brass are doing their annual dance of anger. You know how it goes: Manny is not happy with something, and complained about it, and Red Sox owner John Henry responded (he was "personally offended) and everyone sighed because it's Manny Being Manny, and we're all contractually obligated to work that phrase in somewhere, and maybe Manny will get traded but probably not. Same as it ever was.

The charges roll on today -- WEEI radio man Bob Lobel is saying the Red Sox are upset at Manny for allegedly sacking an at-bat the other night against Mariano Rivera:

"The thing that most people are forgetting and haven't talked about is the strikeout in Yankee Stadium," Lobel said. "The bat on the shoulder for the three pitches from Mariano Rivera. That was a big [expletive] to the Red Sox after the fine. I'm just telling you ... there are things in the front office that are perceived ... I'm saying that there is a strong feeling that that [three-pitch strikeout] was the message to the Red Sox and it's a strong feeling that that's unacceptable ... there's a feeling that he didn't give it his all, let's put it that way ... I'm just saying the front office has not forgotten that moment. It's akin to Nomar sitting on the bench [in a game in which Derek Jeter dove into the stands at Yankee Stadium in 2004]. It's the same thing. It's an at bat that resonated very strongly in the front office."

I didn't see the at-bat in question, but if the fine posters at BBTF are to be believed (and they are), it wasn't exactly obvious that Manny was intentionally throwing the at-bat. He received three ripping cutters from Rivera, all three of which slid just over the black and were called for strikes.

It's possible that he ignored all three on purpose. Or maybe he was genuinely fooled by perhaps the best closer of all time. Unfortunately, Manny's history of weirdness doesn't earn him the benefit of the doubt.

John Henry Doesn't Appreciate Manny's Comments About the Team

Posted: Jul 17th 2008 12:38PM by Tom Fornelli (author feed)
Filed under: Red Sox, AL East, MLB All-Star Game, MLB Gossip

258 COMMENTS

I always thought that Manny Ramirez has been a good enough hitter throughout his career that he's entitled to do whatever the hell he wants and have it be brushed off as nothing more than "Manny being Manny." Going into the Green Monster between innings to make a phone call or take a leak? That's just Manny being Manny. Knocking over the team's traveling secretary because he couldn't get him enough tickets? That's just Manny being Manny. High fiving a fan after making a catch? You guessed it, just Manny being Manny.

Manny Moments

For 15 years Manny Ramirez has been making coaches, fans, and teammates shake their heads in amazement with both his offensive power and jaw-dropping mental lapses. Click through to see some of the more memorable "Manny Moments" from the carefree outfielder's career.

Charles Krupa, AP

Ramirez has had several encounters with the "Green Monster" scoreboard in left field of Fenway Park. Ramirez, seen here peeking out through the door in the "Green Monster," has disappeared into the scoreboard on several occasions during pitching changes, reportedly to make phone calls or relieve himself, despite the fact that there is no bathroom behind the scoreboard.

Charles Krupa, AP

The game on June 5 between Boston and the Rays will probably be better remembered for the bench-clearing brawl, but it also had a "Manny being Manny moment". After the fight, Ramirez and first baseman Kevin Youkilis had to be separated by teammates after the left fielder reportedly told Youkilis to "cut that [expletive] out."

Getty Images

Ramirez turned a routine fly out into a memorable play when he reached into the stands to slap hands with a fan during a game in Baltimore. Ramirez then threw to Dustin Pedroia, whose relay to first doubled off Aubrey Huff. Manny joked about the play after the game. "It was fun. I love it. I think, you know, that's how you get your All-Star vote. I'm pretty sure that guy's gonna vote for me," said Ramirez. "It's one at a time, you know. Get your votes one at a time."

Nick Wass, AP

Ramirez has also been featured in a few strange auction advertisements on eBay. In May 2007, he appeared in a listing that tried to sell an expensive BBQ grill. He later posted a custom Chrysler 300M up for auction.

Winslow Townson, AP

During the 2005 season, the Red Sox faced heavy speculation that Manny would force a trade. But Ramirez erased those doubts when he chopped an RBI single as a pinch hitter versus the Twins, and received a standing ovation 54 minutes after the four o'clock trading deadline had passed. After the game, Ramrez said "It's great, man. They love me here, man. This is the place to be. 'Manny being Manny,' he's great, man."

Charles Krupa, AP

In 2002, while rehabbing with the Pawtucket Red Sox, Manny lost his diamond earring sliding into third base. After the game, 13 PawSox players and the Syracuse grounds crew combed the third base area and found the stud, but not the diamond that was reportedly worth a $15,000.

Michael Dwyer, AP

Accusing the team of not being straightforward with him and deceiving him? That's just, hey! That's not cool at all!

At least, not if you're Red Sox owner John Henry. During the All-Star break Manny made the following comment when asked about his future in Boston.

"I want no more [expletive] where they tell you one thing and behind your back they do another thing," Ramirez told the Boston Herald. "I think I've earned that respect, for a team to sit down with me and tell me this is what we want, this is what we want to do."

When John Henry caught wind of what Manny had said, needless to say, he wasn't exactly doing back flips.

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