Francona's Pledge
By Brian Mason
I pledge allegiance
To the pennant
Of the reigning World Series champions.
Unless you’ve been too absorbed in the Royal’s sweep of the Yankees to care about anything else, there is no way you could have missed Boston’s latest uproar against manager Terry Francona. His decision to stick by slumping first baseman Kevin Millar over the defensively superior and recent hot bat of John Olerud has caused much of the team’s fan base to erupt in outrage.
This controversy has been the subject of sports columns and call-in radio shows across New England. There have even been reports of fans shouting into Francona’s open car window to bench Millar. But despite all of the fuss, the manager has not caved to the pressure. Francona has made the point that Kevin Millar is his starting first baseman.
And to the players
for whom I trust.
Let’s not forget that Millar had a similarly slow start last season, but eventually heated up to come through with one clutch hit after another down the stretch. Kevin Millar was on the World Series team. John Olerud was not.
The question of Francona’s loyalty has been answered. He won a championship with this team – the first in eighty-six years – and he’s sticking with his proven players. Do Red Sox fans really have the right to question the very man who delivered them salvation?
No. Terry Francona is a manager. He gets paid to do what sportswriters and fans cannot. It’s that simple. Francona knows what works and what wins. Last year, Doug Meintkievicz was likewise called on as a defensive wiz, but remained Millar’s backup. And look what happened. Kevin Millar had a far greater impact on his team’s World Series win than Doug Meintkievicz did.
So, Boston, give the manager and the first baseman a break. They know what they’re doing. And besides, Millar is way more fun to watch than the stone-faced Olerud. I’d rather have the father of "Cowboy Up" and the Jack Daniels tradition starting over the boring veteran. It’s time to show a little faith in the men who have proven that they know how to win.
One Nation
under the lights,
easily agitated,
with consistent lineups
and victory for all.
{Facts from a June 2nd Hartford Courant report are included in this article.}
