Beeston and Lucchino - A Nudge is as good as a Wink

[weams]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/columnists/steve_buckley/2015/08/buckley_why_the_red_soxs_larry_lucchino_era_is_ending

Now that it appears that Lucchino himself has been shown the door by Red Sox ownership, perhaps he understands what Francona was talking about.

For if there's one thing we can glean from the news that Lucchino is moving on, it's that his "transition to a new role," which is how he's spinning it, is getting off to a clumsy start.

He was reduced to scrambling for a way to get out his own message Saturday after the Herald had learned Sam Kennedy will be replacing him as president of the Red Sox. None of this happened on Lucchino's terms, and he said so himself in the statement that was released Sunday:

"We would have preferred to announce all of our transition plans at once, including my new role," read the statement,"?but I can tell you we all feel strongly that Sam Kennedy, who has been with me for 20 years, should be the next President of the Boston Red Sox."

In other words, Larry Lucchino isn't stepping down. Instead, it looks like he's being escorted off the property. And this is happening for one simple reason: It's time.

To repeat what I wrote Sunday: Larry Lucchino is the most important employee in the history of the Red Sox. He hired a ton of bright people to work for the team, and he challenged them to help change the culture in and around the ballpark. He also challenged them to help change the ballpark itself.

Ed Rogers, deputy chairman of Rogers Communications, phones White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf to ask for permission to hire Williams

"I asked, 'For what position?'" Reinsdorf said Friday from Chicago. "Edward said, 'For Paul Beeston's job.' "

It could be pointed out here that Rogers? knowledge of the baseball landscape was so deep, he did not know Beeston and Reinsdorf were best friends.

Reinsdorf said he told Rogers he would talk to Williams and call back.

"I called Paul and he was shocked," Reinsdorf said. A few days later, they talked again. Beeston told Reinsdorf he had talked to the Rogers people.

So, Reinsdorf decided not to call back Ed Rogers.

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/01/23/the-inside-story-on-how-rogers-tried-to-replace-blue-jays-president-paul-beeston

[weams]

Was Lucchino marginalized? Maybe he marginalized himself. Things happen. Circumstances change. We wouldn’t be having this discussion a few years ago, but, then, a few years ago Lucchino was a regular presence at Fenway Park. That has not been the case this season.

The Red Sox can’t wait around for Lucchino to get his new ballpark built in Providence. They need him to focus on the old ballpark in Boston. And since he can’t do both, now he’ll have all the time he needs to cozy up to Rhode Island lawmakers.

Lucchino apparently will be given some kind of emeritus title with the Red Sox, though the guessing here is that he’ll have about as much power as Carlton Fisk was given in 2000 when the Hall of Fame catcher landed the phoney-baloney title of “special assistant to the general manager” from then-GM Dan Duquette.

The margins. And Billionaires.

Beeston received a standing ovation when Andy Dunn, co-owner of the Canadians, said: “No one has done more for baseball in Canada than Beeston.”

Co-owner Jake Kerr speaks as well, praising Beeston, and the Jays president gets his second standing ovation.

Then, Kerr tells the entire luncheon: “Sometimes the second generation is not as gifted as the first.”

MC Rob Fai jokes: “I assume my Rogers cable will be cut off when I return home.”

[weams]

Shaughnessy reported in Monday's Boston Globe that Lucchino may be losing a power struggle to Michael Gordon, one of the Red Sox' limited partners. Shaughnessy said Gordon, a member of the partnership since John Henry and Tom Werner bought the franchise in December 2001, recently purchased all the stock previously owned by the New York Times and is the team's second-biggest investor.

http://www.csnne.com/boston-red-sox/shaughnessy-lucchino-being-squeezed-out-sox

[Frobby]

Can't really blame the owners for wanting to change direction a bit.

[weams]

No. You certainly can't. It really appears that all these clubs are run by multinational corporate boards any more.

[bobmc]

I found this interesting though - Brady seems to have a real job and really contributes. Not sure if Fisk was different and DD just wanted his name.

"Lucchino apparently will be given some kind of emeritus title with the Red Sox, though the guessing here is that he’ll have about as much power as Carlton Fisk was given in 2000 when the Hall of Fame catcher landed the phoney-baloney title of “special assistant to the general manager” from then-GM Dan Duquette."

[weams]

I found this interesting though - Brady seems to have a real job and really contributes. Not sure if Fisk was different and DD just wanted his name.

"Lucchino apparently will be given some kind of emeritus title with the Red Sox, though the guessing here is that he’ll have about as much power as Carlton Fisk was given in 2000 when the Hall of Fame catcher landed the phoney-baloney title of “special assistant to the general manager” from then-GM Dan Duquette."

I saw that and just from the little interaction I have it appears that they are different scenarios. Though Boston press has never been kind to Dan. He is just not slick enough for them.

[25 Nuggets]

http://www.csnne.com/boston-red-sox/shaughnessy-lucchino-being-squeezed-out-sox

Some of the responses are interesting. Is there any executive anywhere that a fan base likes? Dunno. My favorite one is the one complaining that the team finished in last place surrounding a World Series win. "No consistency" he says. I'd love to take the world series trophy off their hands if they don't want it.

[BillickFan]

Some of the responses are interesting. Is there any executive anywhere that a fan base likes? Dunno.

Have you heard the phrase "in Ozzie we trust?"

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[weams]

Have you heard the phrase "in Ozzie we trust?"

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The Ravens have recently come through some hard times. I don't think any NFL teams or executives are looking too beloved at this moment. I guess Ozzie got through his trials ok.

[OFFNY]

Beeston and Lucchino - A Nudge is as Good as a Wink

[weams]

Dombrowski goes down too.

[25 Nuggets]

Dombrowski goes down too.

...and some [just some] Detroit fans are blasting him as he exits too. Dombrowski made the right call in selling but Ilitch wants a World Series before he dies. Cold hard truth.

One of the major story lines this off season will be the change in major baseball executives. These are giant names getting canned.

[Redskins Rick]

Dombrowski is a smart exec, but, most will agree, he has made some poor decisions, that was too talented a team that hasn't lived up to expectations, and they wasn't that many pieces away from really doing better.

[Stotle]

Dombrowski is a smart exec, but, most will agree, he has made some poor decisions, that was too talented a team that hasn't lived up to expectations, and they wasn't that many pieces away from really doing better.

The team that is coming off of four straight divisional titles, two ALCS and one World Series appearance over the past four years, and finished second in the division three out of the five years before that, earning another World Series appearance? I think "most" would say he's been one of the most successful front office men in the last decade...