Photo From: USA Today - Former Boston Red Sox manager & University of Arizona Wildcat, Terry Francona

Former Red Sox manager and new ESPN Sunday Night Baseball commentator, Terry Francona, took sometime to give back to his alma mater, University of Arizona.

Since Red Sox Nation still think highly of him and been giving endless praise for what he did during his 8 years as manager, this video is appropriate to share.

He starts joking about no beer and wings in the locker room, then gave some life and college lessons.  He also shared a few stories about a few times he played at the Cats' new home field, Hi Corbett Field.

He became manager in 2003, one year before they won the title in 2004.  He has been praised with fanfare from fans, and owners.  After the debacle the last month (and first month) of the season, missing the post-season for the 2^nd year straight, fans are becoming more critical about his time with the Red Sox. Is his time up?  I think so.

It is the manager’s job to keep the players focused to succeed, which did not happen.  It is the general manager’s job to get players that are good, blend into the team, and sign them to an appropriate contract.  That was not accomplished as time has gone on, and showed since the 2007 World Series.

A general manager’s job is not viewed in a year.  It’s a multi-year mindset, and it is every evident the tam has declined every year since 2007.

The Red Sox have been notorious for signing free agents to outrageous contracts, since ownership has the money to do so.  The problem is most of them did not add up to a team that blended together, and probably caused the gradual entitlement mentality in the clubhouse.

2006

• Alex Gonzalez – 3 years $14 mill
• JD Drew – 5 years $70 mill
• Julio Lugo - 4 years $36 mill
• Daisuke Matsuzaka – 6 years $52 mill

2007

• Matt Clement – 1 year $1.5 mill
• Mike Lowell – 3 years $37.5 mill
• Mike Timlin – 1 year $3 mill

2008

• Brad Penny – 1 year $5 mill
• John Smoltz – 1 year $5.5 mill
• Jason Veritek – 1 year $5 mill

2009

• Adrian Beltre – 1 year $10 mill
• Mike Cameron – 2 years $15.5 mill
• John Lackey – 5 years $82.5 mill
• Marco Scutaro – 2 years $12.5 mill

2010

• Adrian Beltre – 1 year $9 mill
• Hideki Okajima – 1 year $1.75 mill
• Carl Crawford – 7 years $142 mill
• Bobby Jenks – 2 years $12 mill
• Jason Vertiek – 1 year $2 mill

Theo has already stated the he wants to stay on as Red Sox general manager next year, the last year of his contract, to “clean up the mess.” Sorry Theo, you caused the mess, it will be someone else will clean it up.

Reports and rumors have been going around the Chicago Cubs have expressed interest on hiring him as the next general manager on Chicago’s north side.  If he is offered, and accepts the opportunity, I will not complain.

Fans were starting to blame the start if they missed the playoffs by 1 or 2 games (which did happen) after winning only 9 games in April.  They had a good summer, but the end turned into the biggest collapse in history.  They were up 9 games in the wildcard in the final month, only to loose it on the final day with only 7 wins in the month.  The collapse has accelerated the speculation to a fever pitch on the status of Boston Red Sox manager, Terry Francona.

Based on official reports Francona quit as manager of the Boston Red Sox, although the real story is up for debate.

After the poor performance that cost the team to miss the playoffs, it was right, not only for Francona, but also for the Red Sox club for him to leave.

For the record, I like Francona.  He will be viewed as the greatest Red Sox manager ever.  He had 8 great years there.  He won 2 World Series, including the first once since 1912.  I have nothing against him as a person or a manager.  There is just a time and place for everything.  It was time for him to leave.

Francona looked more worn then normal for this time of the year.  Managing in Boston for a year is like 2-3 years most other places.  I am giving him the benefit of the doubt he was burned out at the later part of the season.

What the Red Sox did this season is get some of the best players in the game, and paid them outrageous contracts.  They are one of a small number of teams who have such luxury. 17 players earned at least a million dollars last year.  Six players are earning at least 12 million, 3 of them are pitchers.  As a result, there was a feeling of entitlement in the clubhouse.  Players were complaining about the “grueling schedule., and about the buses.  There was also drinking by some of the pitchers on there off day (how about watching the game, examining the players so you will have an idea of what to do when you take the mound?) in the clubhouse.

Ultimately, it is the job of the manager to get continuity in the clubhouse, and get the players focused.  There was next to zero discipline, a lack of focus.  What happens on the diamond is a team effort, not individual.  They are there to win the game.  That did not happen.  Frnacona is at fault, and Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein also takes part of the blame.  He signed the players and has to work with the manager day-to-day on making the team successful.

Regardless of salary, players should be selfish, but it is ultimately the manager’s responsibility to set the player straight, and have them focused at the task at hand. That is to win games. With that talent, there is no excuse for them to miss the playoffs.  Sorry Terry, time for someone new.

David Ortiz has been consistent with his run production with 48 runs behind only Adrian Gonzalez and Jacoby Ellsbury. Ortiz is the designated hitter, which is not used in National League ballparks. Taking away that kind of production can put a team back a step, but it was Carl Crawford’s injury that made the team suffer. Carl was struggling in April (batting .155, 1 home run, 6 runs, 15 hits, 17 strikeouts) and turned it around in May (batting .304, 3 homeruns, 19 runs, 34 hits). Crawford's production continued in June (batting .278, 2 homeruns, 8 runs, 15 hits) until his injury during the first game of interleague play hosting the Milwaukee Brewers. It was Crawford being out that took the Red Sox a step back. Losing Ortiz at DH made it little worse.

The Red Sox played their normal ways in game 1 against the Brewers, winning 10-4. Ortiz had 3 hits and 1 run while Crawford got injured at first base ain his only at bat. The Brewers went on to win game 2 and the Red Sox won game 3, but struggles were becoming noticeable without Crawford.

Next up was the San Diego Padres, who swept the Sox at Fenway. Ortiz had a productive game 1 (2 hits, 1 run, 1 walk), but did nothing but make a plate appearance in the next two games. The Red Sox then went on the road to Pittsburgh, where the DH was not allowed and played as if they were scared of crime in the Steal City.

With Crawford out, Red Sox Manager Terry Francona put Ortiz in for one at-bat in 2 of the 3 games as a pinch hitter. The Red Sox are going to lose if Ortiz does not produce and Crawford does not play. Those two are the heart and soul of the team, even with Kevin Youkilis, Adrian Gonzalez and Jacoby Eilisbury playing well. The Red Sox need their team back intact to play at their potential.

*All stats as of June 28, 2011 & from CSNNE & ESPN.

Get ready Boston, this is going to be a year where we very well could win a championship in all four major sports. This isn't the first encounter that we've had with bandwagon jumpers, after the Patriots won 3 Super Bowls in four years at the beginning of the decade, the birth of Red Sox Nation in 2004, Green 18 and the "We want it as bad as you do" era of the Bruins.

There's no need to get our boxers in knots, panties in bunches and start to get defensive. We know who we are and the fairweather fans may never have the intensity that we do, but the more noise that's made and the more support for our teams can't be hurtful in any way. So with open arms, come aboard the bandwagon ladies and gentlemen, enjoy the ride that we've been waiting for our whole lives and have had the opporunity to enjoy over the past decade.

Then, in a matter of 24 hours or less, the Sox agreed to a 7-year/$142 M deal with free agent left fielder Carl Crawford, the biggest position player name on the market. With the Crawford signing, Boston has filled their two biggest needs in the outfield and at first base all while beefing up the lineup from the plate. Still being talked about, the Red Sox are still targeting Dodgers catcher Russel Martin before the free agency period ends.

The New York Yankees have reportedly upped their 6-year/$140 M offer to free agent ace, Cliff Lee to a 7-year/possible $160 M contract. Let's just wait and see if the Sox don't come in and pull a Mark Texiera/A-Rod on the Skanks and take Cliff Lee from their grasps by marketing their newly built lineup as an incentive for Lee to want to pitch for a team that is built to win. I'm not sure if the Red Sox have the money for a third contract of that magnitude, but if they can afford a $700 M soccer team, anything is possible.

So here's a sneak peek at what I think the 2011 Boston Red Sox lineup should look like:

LF - Carl Crawford
2B - Dustin Pedroia
1B - Adrian Gonzalez
3B - Kevin Youkilis
DH - David Ortiz
RF - JD Drew
CF - Ryan Kalish
SS - Marco Scutaro
C - Russel Martin*

*If we don't get Martin, Saltalamacchia will bat ninth. If we do, maybe Martin bats 8th and Scutaro holds the bottom of the order to have a high OBP player turnover the order.

This past season, Ortiz caught his hot streak far sooner than he did the previous season after coming off of the tendon sheath injury in his wrist during the 2008 season:

2008 - .264 BA/23 HR/89 RBI/74 R/.877 OPS
2009 - .238/28/99/77/.794
2010 - .270/32/102/86/.899

Ortiz has progressively gotten better as the season goes on since the recovery from his wrist injury and picking up Big Papi's one year option is definitely great from a fan's perspective as well as a financial perspective with all of the free agents that hit the market yesterday, including Victor Martinez.

Let's see how soon it is before people regress back to the thoughts of trading, releasing or finding any way to get David Ortiz off the team. With his progressive numbers and knowledge that he may start the season slowly and still end up being a 30 HR, 100 RBI guy consistently, I am defnitely a believer at this point.

Thanks to Keith Allison for the photo of David Ortiz.

This is a great idea for a team that has lacked offensive power and watched numerous fly balls die out before the wall at the warning track. Although six feet doesn't seem like much in an already miniature right field wall at Fenway Park, that six feet could add another five to seven home runs for David Ortiz who has seemed to go back and forth with his power and then lack there of.

The Red Sox management is also going to add more seats in right field in the Gate D area. For a park that is already very enticing and friendly to left handed power hitters, that six feet inward shift could light up a smile for soon to be free agent Carl Crawford and help bring him to Boston for next season. I can see the headlines now: Red Sox make right field distance shorter for Crawford; signs seven year deal.

Thanks to wallyg for the picture of Fenway Park.

More recently, Tom Brady's tuck rule that eventually led to Adam Vinatieri's legendary field goal in the snow against the Raiders to propel the New England Patriots to their first of three Super Bowl victories. David Ortiz single-handedly helping the Red Sox come back from a 3-0 deficit in 2004 to beat the New York Yankees and eventually win their first World Series in 86 years. The Celtics new Big 3 taking the team and fans on an extreme journey for Banner 17 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Although those moments haven't escaped our minds and for the true fans, never will, it has been a number of years since there have been any significant moments in Boston sports history. The big play, the instant classic and that moment that will be embedded in our memories forever are few and far between. Is that era of moments in Boston sports history gone forever, or do we just need to wait another few decades before our time comes again? Will our children be telling their children about curses and bad luck that has made it impossible for them to see their teams win their respective championships?

Don't take anything out of context. I'm not saying that I'm ungreatful in any way at all. In a matter of eight years, I've seen my teams win six championships and I don't expect the Red Sox, Patriots or Celtics to hit another drought before my time passes. I just haven't seen that magical moment take place for a few years and I'm not sure if there ever will be moments like that for us again. Just think of all the moments mentioned earlier and you tell me if you think that Tom Brady will ever benefit from throwing an incomplete pass again that would result in a playoff win. How many more times will a bench player steal a base and then come around to score a tying or winning run in an ALCS game against our rivals when we're all but counted out of the series? With the NBA conforming to the 2008 Boston Celtics formula, will we ever see a Big 3 in Boston better than Paul Pierce, KG and Ray Allen that can win Banner 18?

I live for and die by those moments. The times when your palms sweat, your heart races and you have no words when your friends start calling your phone off the hook other than, "I don't know what to say". So you tell me, where have all the moments gone and for God's sake, when will there be more?

Thanks to shriak for the photo of the New England Patriots v. Oakland Raiders Playoff game in the snow.

Josh,
With Youk on the DL does that put a fork in the 2010 Red Sox? Is Theo Epstein kicking himself in the ass for not going after Adam Dunn?
Regards,
-Bill (in Saratoga, NY)

The fate of the 2010 Red Sox won't solely lie in the hands of Kevin Youkilis. With Youk being out for the entire season due to surgery on his thumb, Pedroia still out on the DL and our bullpen being the mess that it is, Adam Dunn wouldn't be the only answer to change the fact that we're 7 games out of first place and struggling just to get into contention for the AL Wildcard.

The vast injuries all season has hampered our ability to win, but it comes down to more than scoring runs when a team that was based on pitching and defense can't even cover the bases that they were designed to. Theo put together a great premise and roster for a steroid-free era of baseball where the home run is seen less often and pitching and defense will win games, however, the majority of the season our starting roster has not been in tact at all.

Youkilis is the heart of the team and our best player, but reiterating the fact that baseball is not a one man sport, we have far too many holes overall that acquiring Adam Dunn wouldn't be enough to push us into the post season.

Josh,
With the extent of the injuries growing within the Red Sox and the lack of quality middle relief, how do you see the rest of the season going? What happens with the team this offseason? Something has got to give with the makeup of this team. Even the quality starting pitching we have can not make up for the lack of defense and offense. Losing to lesser teams with your stud pitchers is not the way to go. What changes need to be made to possibly improve the makeup of the team.
-Matthew (currently in Bahrain)

Following up on the previous question I can say that I still believe the Red Sox can make a push for the Wildcard. There's no way that both the Yankees and Devil Rays will be able to keep up their hot streaks for the remainder of the season. Boston is one of the most determined teams in Major League Baseball with tons of heart. The injuries, the bullpen and the hurt put upon our starting pitching just fuels the team more to do better and play harder. The wins will start to fall into place and we'll get a shot at the post season.

This offseason is going to be the most active that Boston has ever had. With the huge season that Adrian Beltre had and his lack of team chemistry, we're not going to offer him a huge long-term contract that he is going to want and deserve for his 2010 numbers. We're also going to have to revamp our entire bullpen except for Bard and Papelbon, which I don't necessarily agree with. It's time to give Bard the closer role and trade Pap for a big bat or a consistent, strong middle reliever for the 5th-8th innings type of guy.

We also need to let go of all the loyalty that we're holding with the '04 and '07 guys like Lowell, Varitek, Papelbon, Dice-K, Wakefield and maybe even Papi and start rebuilding the team for better hitters, consistent middle relief and better fits for the clubhouse that will bring back that family like style that we've had in the past when we were winning more games. The make up of the team will then be improved, leading to winning the games that we're expected to win just like you said.

Why did Michael Vick get his job back when a normal person who commits a felony ends up working at McDonalds?
-April (in West Roxbury, MA.)

This is a subject that I wavered on at first. When Vick was finally re-instated by Roger Goodell I agreed with the decision, but I also feel that it should go both ways and not solely based on the fact that he is an NFL superstar. Vick was sentenced, served his time and then returned to the field. Another player that had a run-in with the law that I couldn't agree with however, was Donte Stallworth. Donte was given a 30-day sentence for DUI manslaughter. How the hell does anyone get 30 days for killing another human being yet a man who killed dogs got two years? I would also say that Stallworth should have been able to return to the league after serving his sentence, but I was devastated that he got 30 days for killing someone.

Sadly, it all comes back to the fact that they're NFL stars. If you or I committed either of the crimes that they committed, we would both be serving maximum sentences and then return to the world with no chance of employment. I agree that once you serve your time you should then be able to move forward and continue on with your life, but that's just not the way it works.

How many times is Brett Favre going to retire?
-Jason (in Huntsville, AL.)

As many times as he wants. This saga will continue to be the story when there is no story in sports that day during every NFL off season for the next few years. Brett has earned the right to skip training camp and he should do so.

Josh,
Do you feel like Brett Favre is being selfish with the way he is acting in terms of his holding out on a decision to play or not? Should the Vikings put a timetable on his decision? Or are the Vikings being selfish in allowing this behavior in hoping they get a marque quarteback?
-Matthew (currently in Bahrain)

He's not being selfish, this is just the way it's going to be for him every off season until he actually retires for real. The Vikings are doing the right thing by not placing a timetable on his decision. Giving him a deadline will cause him to retire, un-retire, and cycle over and over anyway. He doesn't need to go to training camp anymore and he can make his final decision at the last minute based on his health and his desire to play. The Vikings aren't being selfish either. They may be putting themselves in a tough situation by not having a solid replacement for Favre if he does decide not to play this season, but they know what they're doing and everything points to Favre playing this season. I do see them taking a quarterback in the first round in next years draft when Favre's contract is up and the off-season delays could cause them to enter the season without a quarterback though.

Should the Patriots trade Tom Brady? At this point, he's not going to get any better and as shown with Bledsoe and Cassel the system is the real star here in New England. Sure, Brady might be the best fit for the system, but wouldn't we be better off trading him for a bunch of picks and improving the team as a whole?
-Adam (in Dorchester)

No.

Josh Gans is a Boston Sports Fanatic that will give you the answers from the fans point of view and not the run of the mill answer of the week that you'd get from the other major sports networks. If you have any questions for Sportsfan4, e-mail us and we'll get your questions posted for the next mailbag. The more questions we get, the more often we'll answer them and you'll get to see your questions here and get the answers you need.

Thanks to waltarrrrr for the photo of the USPS Mail Box