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Red Sox, Terry Francona part ways after eight years 09.30.11 at 5:21 pm ET
By Alex Speier

After eight years, Terry Francona is done as Red Sox manager. (AP)

In the aftermath of a historic nosedive that took the Red Sox from an apparent playoff lock to a team that lost the largest September postseason lead in major league history, the Red Sox and manager Terry Francona have parted ways.

The team will not exercise its two-year, $8.75 million option on Francona’s three-year contract, which ran from 2009-11. Instead, the team will pay his $750,000 buyout, and the manager will be free to pursue a job elsewhere. The decision was made after a meeting on Friday morning that included Francona, Epstein and members of the Red Sox’ ownership group.

Francona leaves having overseen the Sox for one of the most successful periods in franchise history. During his eight-year tenure (tied for the second longest in team history, behind only Joe Cronin), he won two World Series titles, becoming only the second manager in team history with two rings and the first since Bill Carrigan won titles in 1915 and 1916.

Francona went 744-552 (.574) during his time in Boston, with the second-highest wins total in franchise history and the third-highest winning percentage among managers with at least three seasons with the Red Sox. During his tenure, he was often given raves for his ability to maintain a positive clubhouse environment in a region where scrutiny — especially during times of struggle — can become overwhelming.

His ability to balance the team’s longer-term interests over the desperation for a win on any given night was viewed as a critical component of the team’s successes over the 162-game seasons. And in short series, where each game is indeed pivotal, Francona’s success was nearly peerless. He has a 28-17 (.622) record in the postseason, including victories in seven different series, and his postseason winning percentage is the second highest all-time by a skipper with at least 25 games in October, behind only Joe McCarthy (.698).

However, while he reached the playoffs in five of his first six seasons in Boston, the Sox missed the postseason in the last two seasons, with the Sox going 89-73 in an injury-riddled 2010 and then going 90-72 this season, including a 7-20 record during what turned into the worst September collapse of a first-place team in baseball history. The Sox haven’t won a postseason game since 2008.

Both Francona and general manager Theo Epstein suggested at a Thursday press conference that the Red Sox clubhouse had become a challenging one to manage this season.

“To be the very best, there’s got to be some extraordinary things happening. I thought at times we didn’t put our best foot forward. That’s my responsibility. That’s why it bothered me,” said Francona, who acknowledged calling a team meeting in September at a time when the team was up eight games on the Rays in the wild card because he was concerned about the team’s cohesion. “There were some things I was worried about. We were spending too much energy on things that weren’t putting our best foot forward towards winning. … There were some things that did concern me. Teams normally as the season progresses, there are events that make you care about each other, and this club, it didn’t always happen as much as I wanted it to. And I was frustrated by that.”

There are two ways to read such statements. First, it suggests a group that is difficult to manage. Secondly, it suggests a group that was unresponsive to the messages it was receiving from its manager.

At the press conference on Thursday and again in the press release announcing Francona’s departure, Epstein acknowledged those problems, while saying that he also agreed with Francona that the team might benefit from a new message delivered by a new messenger.

“Without Tito’s commitment over eight years, we would not be the organization we are today,” Epstein said in the statement. “Nobody at the Red Sox blames Tito for what happened at the end of this season; we own that as an organization. This year was certainly a difficult and draining one for him and for us.  Ultimately, he decided that there were certain things that needed to be done that he couldn’t do after eight years here, and that this team would benefit from hearing a new voice. While this may be true, his next team will benefit more than it knows from hearing Tito’s voice. I will miss seeing Tito every day in the manager’s office, and I wish him and his family nothing but the best in their next chapter.”

And if Francona was, in fact, losing his clubhouse, he received little evident backing from the team as the Sox folded down the stretch. Hall of Fame reporter Peter Gammons said on WEEI in September that he sensed a growing “disconnect” between Francona and Epstein.

Both the manager and GM dismissed the idea that their communication was an issue, but when the topic of managing beyond 2011 was broached, neither side gave any public endorsement of wanting the relationship to continue beyond the 2011 campaign, with the rhetoric of both men focusing on their mutual respect and admiration. Meanwhile, Francona’s contract status remained unresolved, with the Sox deciding to wait until after the season before making a decision about his options.

And, whereas principal owner John Henry often had visited Francona or communicated with him (sometimes by e-mail) in past challenging visits, Francona — when asked on multiple occasions down the stretch — said that he had not heard from the man at the top of the Sox’ masthead during the team’s September swoon.

Still, in Thursday’s press conference Epstein suggested that the Sox did not hold Francona solely accountable for the team’s epic fold.

“We’ve already talked about it, [Henry], [chairman Tom Werner], [CEO Larry Lucchino] and I, and nobody blames what happened in September on Tito,” Epstein said. “That would be totally irresponsible and totally short-sighted and wouldn’t recognize everything he means to the organization and to all our successes, including, at times, in 2011, so we take full responsibility for what happened, all of us. Collectively, it was a failure. I’m the general manager, so I take more responsibility than anybody.

“I don’t think we believe in — I know we don’t believe in scapegoats. In particular, no one blames Tito for what happened in September. Look, we all failed collectively. Kind of failed collectively in this one and we have to live with that. We’re not going to point the fingers at any one person in particular.”

On Friday morning, Francona and Epstein were slated to meet with Henry and the rest of the Sox ownership group. It was there that the decision was made for the two sides to move in separate directions, with the Sox now preparing for just their second managerial search under Epstein.

Based on the past hiring processes under the current Red Sox ownership group, major league managerial experience (or success) may not be an important prerequisite for the position. The Sox hired Grady Little when the current ownership group arrived in Boston, and Little was a man who had never managed above the minors.

As for Francona, he arrived in Boston with a 285-363 (.440) record in four seasons managing the Phillies, without a single winning season. The runner-up for the position was Joe Maddon (now the Rays skipper), who had no managerial experience, and the team also was thought to regard Bud Black highly at a time when his dugout experience had been limited to that of pitching coach.

But, while the resume of the next Red Sox manager might not require a World Series title to be on it, that of the skipper whom he replaces features not just one but two. The bar will be set high.

As for Francona, he will undoubtedly have numerous offers. After all, he was still a highly regarded managerial candidate eight years ago, when his only big league managing experience had been as the steward of a dreadful club in Philadelphia. Now, he was able to identify this as a “time for me to move on,” in possession of one of the most impressive resumes in the industry.

“I ultimately felt that, out of respect to this team, it was time for me to move on,” Francona said in a statement. “I’ve always maintained that it is not only the right, but the obligation, of ownership to have the right person doing this job. I told them that out of my enormous respect for this organization and the people in it, they may need to find a different voice to lead the team.

“In my eight seasons as manager of the Boston Red Sox, I have developed a tremendous appreciation for Red Sox Nation. This is a special place with some of the most knowledgeable and passionate fans in all of baseball. They packed Fenway Park for every game and because of them, I had a special sense of pride coming to work every day. I want to thank John, Tom, Larry and Theo for giving me the opportunity to manage this team through some of the most successful years in this franchise’s history. I wish the entire organization and all of Red Sox Nation nothing but the very best.”

Read More: John Henry, peter gammons, Terry Francona, Theo Epstein Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • RayRay

    Pathetic. I hope Sox management/ownership is ready for an old school Boston fan backlash. All the goodwill they have earned from Sox fans has just evaporated.

    F*cking idiots…

  • Sportsbozo

    See ya Tito and thnx for your efforts of 04 and 07. As for 09,10,11 not so much thnx… We all know you don’t play any of the positions required to hit,run or pitch this team too victory but you were the warden and were supposed to keep the inmates working! They quit and you lost your job… Good luck in your new endeavors.

  • npd1969

    I completely agree with RayRay. This is a horrible decision and this may damage the team in the coming years. The ownership group have just made a bad season to something even worse.

    FIRE THEO!!! He has No clue at all and THEO should be FIRED for this Mess!

    John Henry you have just made a terrible business decision, this team will struggle for the next few years thanks to this crap!!!

  • Josh is an idiot and is Mike and Kevin and Mary and now Jane

    Nice, they do it on a Friday late afternoon so there are no official answers until Monday. What did they take a page out of the Bruins old ways?!?

    Talk about corporate ownership and I’m surprised they didn’t have security follow him out, lol.

  • Paul M

    :-(

  • screw Theo

    They just let go of possibly the best manager in Red Sox history becuase little kid Theo put together a terrible team that had major flaws from day one.This season is on Theo not Francona! Pissed off Red Sox fan THAT will not support any front office that continues to make stupid decisions!!

  • http://Enteryourwebsite... Jason

    I think their sell out streak is over. I can definitely see the White Sox signing him soon. I also wouldn’t be surprised if David Ortiz leaves. Just think of how they drove Johny Damond out of Boston.

  • Dave

    Sad day. Sounds knee-jerk to me. The players should be ashamed of themselves.

  • Thom

    Poor Decision. This is the man who had some talking “Manager of the Year” last year by keeping us in the hunt with the rediculous amount of injuries we had. Not to mention the TWO RINGS he brought to Boston!
    BEWARE OF THE CURSE OF THE TITO !!!

  • ugh

    Not good. Theo should’ve been canned. He’s dropped the ball since ’08 giving Tito crappy players with huge egos and overinflated contracts. Get rid of Crawford, Lackey, and every other prima donna on the team. Very sad day.

  • Greg M

    Horrible, stupid decision… Tito has been class, stability, and intelligences, as well as a stand-up guy.

    Who is next?

    They already have the money spent on Lackey, if he can’t pitch, maybe he can manage?

  • John

    It was time for him to go! He made bad calls all season sat on his picthers to long and had bad coach’s under him!

  • Old Hat

    Gotta be honest, it really was time, so I agree with Sportsbozo.

  • Gillhix

    They got rid of the wrong guy.

  • John Daley

    I hope that Young is out the door also,I blame him as much as anyone!!

  • harry

    …at least Tito won’t have to suffer Sweet Caroline anymore!
    Wha wha wha…

  • Nobama

    What do you guys expect from a bunch of liberals. These guys thought Obama would work out well, too.

  • DaBabe

    Nomar who?

  • Russ

    Hall of fame manager, bad season. I don’t ever remember him pitching, or batting cleanup. Sounds like the organization wants to go back to the “good old days”, when they couldn’t hit or pitch their way out of a wet paper bag. Let’s remember that the “good old days” also came with seats that were only 65% occupied. Real good financial move guys. now you’ll have the money to pay Lackey and Dice-K, who all really EARNED their paychecks this year!

  • Josh is an idiot and is Mike and Kevin and Mary and now Jane

    “What do you guys expect from a bunch of liberals. These guys thought Obama would work out well, too.”

    Go peddle your bullsht agenda elsewhere.

  • Eppy

    In the last game, Big Pappi’s pants almost falling off as he slid into second on a hit to short center field encapsulates the season for me.

    But the big spending on Crawford and Lacky shows that Theo should go.

  • http://Enteryourwebsite... sbs

    Thx Tito. I’m 57 & a life-long Sox fan. U were the best i’ve ever seen. Good luck.

  • Larry

    There are two great managers of this period I feel Francona and Torre…I feel sad for Boston and the New England area..he was dealt a bad hand as far as I am concerned.

  • Columbo

    Looks like we will be turning back to the Old Days and the Old Ways and the Famous Red Sox Nation cry of “WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR”. I believe it was Tito’s choice to move on and it proves once again money does not buy CHAMPIONSHIPS. Look how many years the Yankees tried it and it did not work out for them.

  • Val

    A tough decision but the right one. Eight years is a long run for a MLB manager. There comes a time when the players are no longer listening to the manager and that means he can no longer be effective. It appears that time is here and now for Tito. Even he admits it.

    Also, there are tough “my way or the highway” managers and more easy-going “players” managers. It’s usually beneficial to go from one type to the other. Tito was the “players” type of manager. The next guy could be more of a kick in the pants kind of guy and that would be good for this team, which looked slow, out of shape, unprepared and unfocused at times this year, especially down the stretch in September. As a Sox fan for over 50 years, this was not an especially easy team to root for. Too many overpaid players doing stupid things and just not playing smart baseball. THAT has to change, especially with this kind of payroll and at the prices the fans have to pay to watch the team. And Tito just isn’t the guy to get this accomplished any more. It will have to be someone else.

    Good luck on picking the right guy.

  • Ricardo

    Although this collapse is squarely the fault of the players, I think the change was necessary. Tito was the ultimate “player’s manager” which at times hurt this team. How many losses did we sustain trying to get Wake his 200th victory?! Ridiculous. His constantly defending JD Blew, absurd. This incredibly talented 2011 Red Sox team needed their asses kicked, not kissed, by Tito. I don’t think he had the temperament to do that, so a change may get these players to perform as they should.

  • Sandra

    My heart is sad, Tito- what can I say except thank you for eight wonderful years. Two World Series and many wonderful memories of the past eight years. You will forever be a part of RED SOX history, I wish you all the success in the future and which ever team hires you- You will not be sorry- Our loss for sure.

  • bill flan

    Wow… what a huge mistake…this guy got it done, was classy and professional… one bad season…send theo over to the cubs…at least there will be tickets available for Fenway…not that anyone will go(just like the good old days)

  • RayRay

    Tito just said at his press conference that he felt the ownership didn’t have confidence in him all season.

    He felt like a “lame duck”.

    That’s what I thought I heard at least…

  • SLC

    Shame, Shame, Shame, on this ownership group. Tito deserved better. We will miss him and remember him with fondness. Red Sox Nation grieves over our loss !!

  • http://Enteryourwebsite... Babson

    Garbage move. New manager is not going to make Crawford hit or field, Lackey pitch better than a little leaguer or Lester and Pap pitch in the clutch. Epstein should be gone for compiling a team of individuals he overpaid for. Thanks and good luck Tito!

  • Source Close To

    An unstable Red Sox team? Oh yea, I remember that

  • Rebozo

    Get rid of Neil Diamond and the rest will take care of itself.

  • http://Enteryourwebsite... Brandon

    When does Dustins contract end 2016? Cuz where ever tito is that is who Dustin will sign with, kiss Papi goodbye too maybe even Pap

  • redsoxluvah

    Guys stop bashing Theo! Terry said he liked Theo. Theo has done SO much for us is the past! Is he not allowed to make a few mistakes once in a while.

    And about Terry and the Red Sox organization. They did not fire him, Terry chose to leave.

    I’m not sure what to think of this right now. I’ll admit I’m kinda just another Red Sox fan, so yes I cried I little. But throwing the blame out every where isn’t the answer. A few player might be to blame for screwing up the clubhouse, collecting their money and never actually caring about the game. but It’s NOT Terry’s fault, its NOT Theo’s fault. And its not the Red Sox fault.

  • http://weei.com paul in ct

    A day and a decision that we will look back on as a negative milestone, a wrong turn in the road, a day when we realized that this team has many exposed holes that are going to need some skillful moves to fill them and return the team to the playoffs at least. That is all well and good but I do not have the confidence in this current management group to get it done. The results of this season should have been a changeover in likely four starting position players, perhaps one or two of the coaches but not Terry Francona…Theo’s contract ends after the next year, correct? He is going to have to spend this offseason scrambling to cover for his mistakes of the last two years. He , Theo, said yesterday that no one would be made the scapegoat for this year and the next day Terry does not have his option picked up. I am very disappointed by the Red Sox front office. I hope they can hold up a lantern and find the man they need in the darkness.

  • brent

    I think the Red Sox should try to get Joe Maddon after his contract is up after the 2012 season. In my opinion, he’s one of the best in the game on the field and off the field

  • RayRay

    @ paul in ct

    Well said.

  • kanewolves

    My only complaint with Tito is that no one on the team was required to bunt. Of course, that’s pretty common with the American League as a whole. Pedroia is a good example, swing for the fences with every pitch. His career is going to be cut short by injuries the way he swings at pitches. Remember his 2010 injury? There were a lot of games we could have won if we could have sacrifice bunted the runner to second instead of hitting into all the double plays we did. Tito kept the players happy but we lost a lot of games we shouldn’t have.

  • fidelis

    If the choice to leave was Titos, then I wish him nothing but good luck. If it was ownerships decision well then I hope they get what’s coming to them. A losing 286 million dollar team year after year after figgin year!!!

  • Clark

    Feels like a mistake to me if driven by ownership. If it was Tito’s choice, makes more sense as he might have needed a break from the grind of managing in Boston. Anyone remember the bloody towels and health issues? These years had to be rough on Tito and his family.

    Bottom line, best Red Sox manager ever….Good luck Tito, you deserve our thanks and admiration.

  • http://fullcount fansince67

    Lazy, overpaid primadonna players cost a good man and manager his job. Shameless.

  • RayRay

    They should have picked up his option in July. BS spinning and lies coming from Yawkey way tonight.

  • Wow

    Theo should go, immediately. He looked like a little kid who straightened up and started smiling when daddy
    L L removed the noose from his neck during the press conference tonight.

    Theo mentioned Tito not getting throu to players he had been close to over the years…thats not Crawford, or Gonzalez…think Big Sloppy here …go watch that little tantrum this guy had over his RBI when he i terrupted that press conference. Are you kiddijg me??

    He has become a cancer in that clubhouse, all you boston fans are fooled by him. Theo is a joke too, has no business in that position

    I hate the red sox, but respect and admire Francona, always have

  • zanthor

    Well, perhaps he could’ve done more…. Shown a little anger and disgust and tried to instill more spirit in the team by calling out the problems and being a little more proactive about them…. blah blah blah, no I couldn’t have done better. But…. if Tito goes, then they really need to address Theo… he bombed even moreso than Tito. Whassup JH? You’ll be down for next season unless you do something really positive now.

  • Jimmy V

    What Jetter, Jorge, and (in older days – O’neil) were to the Yankee clubhouse for Torre, Veritek and Ortiz were suppose to be for Tito. They were not. No leaders on this team to kick butt when needed. That’s why they failed and now Tito is gone. Sad!!

  • Jack Griffin

    What a sad day for Red Sox Nation. Tito was the glue that held this together. Pay off Lackey, and send that shitbum packing. JD Drew can take a hike too. Them and Dice-K should all go hang out at that failed nuke plant in Japan. They all suck.Take care Tito, hold your head high buddy. It ain’t your fault.

  • Matt D 92673

    Sad day indeed… I am guessing Tito will end up being more sucessful in his next stop then the next manager hired.. Especially if they cannot figure out how to unwind some disastrous signings over the last few years. Thanks for an AWESOME RUN Tito! See you at the Big A with whatever team you land at…

  • HERB

    AS A RED SOX FAN OF FIFTY YEARS:1>I READ ALL THE FAN MESSAGES AND AM PROUD,
    AND SOME-WHAT SURPRISED,AT THE HUGE NUMBER OF INTELLIGENT AND THOUGHTFUL FANS WHO WROTE MESSAGES OF WHICH I WOULD HAVE BEEN PROUD.2>IF BLAME IS TO BE ASSIGNED,JOHN HENRY WHO LET HIS BUSINESS GET AWAY FROM HIM DESERVES AT LEAST
    50%.HIS PUNISHMENT WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED INCOME.THEO GETS 25% FOR
    PROVIDING AN INCOMPATIBLE MIX OF OVERPAID PRIMA DONNAS.THE PLAYERS ONLY
    17.5% -THEY WHERE WHO THEY WERE AND COULD NOT HELP THEMSELVES.THAT LEAVES
    THE MANAGER WITH AT MOST 7.5% AND THE ONLY ONE,SO FAR TO BE PUNISHED-AND LEAVES ME WITH A TEAM AND AN ORGANIZATION I NO LONGER LOVE.HERUDA.

  • SWC

    All of you pink hat fans can sssucck my fat one. You all make me sick.

  • http://Enteryourwebsite... StopSaenz

    Hello Theo, just a question, you stated that there wouldn’t be a scapegoat. So what was Francona, just collateral damage?? Why don’t you grow a set and fire yourself. Since you brought in the ingredients for the Best Team ever!! Glad the attendance record was set this year. Because it isn’t going any higher next year!!

  • http://harwich.edu john

    Get rid of Epstein and not Francona. Drew, Lackey, Crawford, please…

  • http://Enteryourwebsite... jarck

    I quit to.Let’s go Yankkees! These greedy bums are no better.

  • EdB.

    So Terry is leaving because Theo put an unmanageable team of characters together that even Terry couldn’t this year and can’t in the future manage? Heavy stuff!

  • pissed off

    Thanks for the memories Tito. The nation loves ya. DopeStein should be run out of town along with that wuss of an owner John Henry. I’m sick I invested so much of my time watching these gutless primadonna’s enabled by DopeStein. My 6 year old son is a better evaluator of talent than this clown. I hated everyone of his signing’s except
    for Jason Bay Victor Martinez and Beltre. It sure is funny that none of these players were retained even though they proved they could thrive in this pressure packed enviroment. It’s too bad that players like Pede Jacobe and Papalbon had to be sattlebagged by these Theo stiffs. This team was difficult to watch all season (no Heart no character no soul). Robotic just like their GM and wuss owner. I am sure of one thing. If Dopestein stays the nation will be turning to Tampa Bay fans. You clowns made a big mistake today. Maybe a fire sale is in order.

  • AJ

    I am sorry to see Terry Francona leave the Sox organization as manager. He was the only manager in 86 years who did what no other manager has done — lead two teams to the World Championship!!! Hope Red Sox Nation doesn’t have to wait another 86 years.

  • http://bleacherreport.com Shane Andarowski

    i keep seeing the words Fire Theo. Be careful what you wish for. Their are only 4 or 5 decent GM’s and Theo is among the best. Even Champions loose sometimes. We won 90 games. Unfourtantly and fortunately we ar in the toughest division in baseball. Other teams would kill to be in our position year in and year out. 2 championships in 8 years. Most likely we will win another one before 2014. That would make 3. How many of you, This includes myself, prayed to God and asked if the RedSox just would win one World Series before you died you would never ask for anything again. Well stop being spoiled and start being disappointed. Let’s let the players know it is unacceptable to be out of shape, not care for your brothers,( team mates) and not pick each other up. Stop buying Jerseys, Stop asking for there autographs, and stop cheering for them. We still need o o to the games because they are a part of our family and we need o support our family members but sometimes it’s ok to teach them a lesson. On opening day I think we should be completely silent throughout the game. Not one cheer, not one clap, not one whistle. This should be kept up until the players acknowledge that they are playing for us. And the ” Us” considers them family. Until they start treating their teammates the same way and start playing hard for US then we should not show them our support. Copy and paste. Get you signs of disappointment ready and pass this idea along. Let’s see if we can this protest together.

    Shane

  • http://bleacherreport.com Shane Andarowski

    Please contact me at brookmutts@aol.com if you are a season ticket holder and want o help organize this event for next season.

  • Bandwagon jumper

    Theo Epstein obviously canned Tito to save his own job from poor decision-making. Could you even imagine, 1 month ago, learning that Tito would be canned at the end of the season? Who the FUCK are they going to hire? Quade? Pinella? If the Cubs had a brain in their heads they’ll send their folks to Boston first thing tomorrow. Red Sox are in for a five year slide, unfortunately. CAN Epstein. ‘Rebuilding’, as they say in college football.

  • http://weei steve zicolella

    Tito, wish you the best. You will be missed, a class act.

    Red Sox organization, you’re going to be sorry.

    Get rid og that GM befor YOU have to pay for parking your selves!

  • Wayn in VT

    Thanks for making me glad to be a Sox fan, Tito – although I must admit I won’t miss your habit of keeping pitchers in too long.

    Wouldn’t it be pure irony if, as rumours have it, Buck Showalters moves up to GM @ Balto & Tito goes there and does w/the O’s what he did for the Sox?

    Sounds like the White Sox might’ve just gotten lucky, tho.

    Bye, Tito -

  • Barbara

    Terry, I’m heartsick that you are leaving. Theo is part of this mindless, unappreciative management. Terry, go to the Cubs and win a World Series, and thanks for everything!!!

  • http://www.gmail.com jonnywhatyouthinkthreemonts ago

    Seriously what did you think when we signed crawford or how bout gonzales. how bout the way we have farmed players over the past 4 to five years. anybody remember the story of theo going to thanksgiving dinner at schillings house, to tell him we are gonna win a ring and we want you to help. you all forget that theo has done some good things. franconia well we all know he was one of the best to come to the soxs. but we need to whip some people into shape and play smart ball

  • http://www.gmail.com jonnywhatyouthinkthreemonts ago

    Lackey, Lester, Becket, Buchholz, and the 2011 line up can you honestly tell me you didn’t think this wasn’t a world series bound team. HONESTLY what did you think three months ago and HONESTLY what did you think opening day

  • William DiFalco

    first and foremost i would like to say thank you Tito from the bottom of my heart for the best years the RED SOX and there fans have seen in nearly a century! We Are sad to see you go! I have been A RED SOX fan for my entire life! and ALLWAYS WILL BE! Its Personal To Me! I Love The RED SOX! And Would NEVER Give Up On Them!! If ANYONE wants to go to the devil rays!? THEN GO RIGHT AHEAD AND DO SO!! YOU DONT BELONG HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!! BECAUSE THE TRUE HEART IS NOT JUST IN THE PLAYERS! BUT IN THERE FANS ASWELL!! AND IF YOU HAVE THE HEART THEN YOU BELONG HERE!! AND IF YOU DONT THEN YOU ! LIKE THE PLAYERS THAT DONT HAVE THE HEART! THEN YOU DONT BELONG HERE AND SHOULD GO TO THE DEVIL RAYS! GOOD BY! YOU ARE ONLY THINKING ABOUT YOUR SELF! AND DONT BELONG WITH OUR BELOVED RED SOX!!!! A Big part of being A member of the RED SOX is having the heart of A true RED SOX! I understand what you meant Tito about after you have worked with the players you develop A caring that with some players seems to have faded, Or , In some cases wasn’t there to begin with. EVERYBODY On the RED SOX MUST PULL TOGETHER! MUST HAVE THE HEART! OR IT WONT WORK! And You Are Right Tito! I Know It WASINT You! The players must believe Wholeheartedly in there skipper! And Themselves In Order to make it work! And NOT PUT THEMSELFS ABOVE THE TEAM! IN ANYWAY!! When everybody pulls together to Play Ball! Then THERE IS NO TEAM INCLUDING THE yankees THAT CAN STOP THE RED SOX!!!! We have seen it in 2004! & 2007! AND AM SURE WE WILL SEE IT AGAIN & AGAIN!! AND SOON!! For some reason I cant help but think that a bad seed might have intentionally been planted to throw us off!? Not Sure what! or whom It Could be! And I Could Be Wrong! But Its Just A Feeling I Have Had Recently!! I think it was a mistake to let Tito go!! And HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY ALL OF RED SOX NATION!!!! WE LOVE YOU TITO!!!! AND WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THE VERY BEST!!!! THANKS AGAIN!!!! FROM A REAL FAN!!!! P.S. to the RED SOX, find A Way To Pull Together! and Bring Tito Back!?!? if not, then we will go forward from here with our heads held up high and we will NEVER GIVE UP!!!! EVER!!!!

  • Devildog

    The front office has lost their way. Paying huge dollars to the likes of JD Drew and John Lackey and losing Johnny Damon over $4M in 3 years!!! You took a page out of the Yankee “buy a World Series” playbook and got it shoved up your A*&. When the parts to make the whole better, but in fact worse, the manager is not to blame. The leadership that purchased the flawed parts better start looking in the mirror. If they do, they might just see a “Goat”

  • Pete

    Sad day for Sox Nation.Absolutely horrible decision to let Tito go.I really hope it doesn’t go back to the old days of saying “Wait till next year”every year.

  • Ben Affleck

    Thank you Red Sox for removing my movie Gigli as the biggest embarrassment by anyone in Boston history. How about we legalize marriage for everyone next? I have been longing to marry my Matty boy for years.

  • Ryan D.

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  • SueinBayview

    You got that right Brandon.

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  • rusty rail

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  • JOHN

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