Farrell talks firing, hiring
If former manager John Farrell harbors any bitterness about being fired by the Red Sox in October, he continues to keep it under wraps.
In his first public appearance since his dismissal, Farrell was asked if the firing was difficult to accept.
“In some ways, yes, because I felt we, as a team, as an organization, as a coaching staff, we were proud of the number of accomplishments that we had there, including what you saw in 2013 and back-to-back championships in the AL East the last couple of years,” Farrell said on the Hot Stove show on the MLB Network. “But hey, every situation has a shelf life and a change was made. I respect the change that did take place.”
Farrell pointed out that new manager Alex Cora has a head start.
“It’s a stacked team as it stands today. Alex Cora is inheriting a very good team with a lot of expectations. That’s the norm there,” Farrell said.
“It will be interesting to see how things unfold.”
Farrell addressed the attention and intense coverage that all managers in baseball receive.
“It’s no doubt going to be the scrutiny and that’s going to have varying degrees depending on the city,” he said. “Coming out of five years in which there might have been the most scrutiny on a team, on an individual player or a manager, and that’s Boston. But that’s also what draws people to those places. The expectation is high and the ability to win is there every single year.
“And if that’s not in your DNA, if that’s not what you aspire to do, and that’s to win, then maybe those places aren’t for you.”
Farrell spoke less than two hours before new Yankees manager Aaron Boone was introduced in New York.
“The talk certainly of Aaron Boone going to New York, I don’t know if he managed anywhere else (Boone hasn’t coached or managed), would he be ready for the job that he is walking into?” Farrell said. “I don’t know that you can prepare for those positions until you’re in them. I think it’s great to see a great hire in Aaron Boone.”
Boone welcomes rivalry
In his introduction, Boone said the Red Sox’ success since 2003 has softened the memory of his walkoff home run in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series that sent the Yankees to the World Series. But that won’t last long, no matter how much Boone looks forward to rejoining the rivalry.
“I am looking forward to Boston ... I don’t think it will be warm anymore,” Boone said at Yankee Stadium. “I tell you what, since the Red Sox have had success and won their championships (in 2004, ’07, ’13), I feel like that since I’ve been back there, it’s been a little more good-natured if you will. I don’t think if they had not won championships it would be so good-natured, but at least my experience has been that it’s been good-natured ribbing.
“I would say now that I’m actually trying to take food off their table or wins off their board, I would say it won’t be as good-natured anymore, but one of the things I loved about my time here . . . is just how special of a rivalry it is between the two clubs. I look forward to being a part of that.”
Boone is also looking forward to friendly-enough relations with a fellow new manager in Cora.
“Now the manager of that team happens to be someone I’ve known a long time and been very friendly with and very fond of, and I’m looking forward to now striking up that rivalry with him,” Boone said.
Bettis to be honored
The Colorado Rockies’ Chad Bettis will accept the 2017 Tony Conigliaro Award next month at the Boston Baseball Writers Awards Dinner.
Bettis was diagnosed with testicular cancer in November 2016 and underwent surgery. Then, after reporting to spring training in February, the pitcher learned the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. After nine weeks of chemotherapy, Bettis slowly made his way back to pitching shape and returned to the majors in mid-August, throwing seven scoreless innings in his first start in Denver.
“I think being able to be the recipient of this year’s award is nothing short of an honor,” Bettis said. “And I feel like the award goes beyond just myself to the help and encouragement of my family and teammates and the entire Colorado Rockies organization.”
The dinner is Jan. 18 at the Marriott Copley Place. Tickets ($200 each) are available by calling 857-407-8931 or by emailing awalenta@sportsmuseum.org.