As the Sox try to hold off the Rays and Angels for the wild card, one factor seems apparent. The team lacks a real leader. Sometimes it could be the manager, but Tito is neither a screamer like Earl Weaver nor a character like Casey Stengel.
Among the players, Jason Varitek is the captain and has provided some leadership, but he is only a part-time player. Dustin Pedroia, a former MVP, should be, but basically he is a quiet man who does his job. Their reactions to wins and losses seem to be little more than cliches. Following the 18-9 win over the Orioles, Pedroia said: “It’s all about winning games right now.” David Ortiz’ reaction was “It was good to see all the hits and home runs….That’s what we need to keep doing.”
In my recollection, the last Sox leader was Curt Schilling. He did it in both word and deed, and continues to speak out in retirement. Larger-than-life figures like Carl Yastrzemski did not have to speak-they led by example. Though the 78 team is remembered with frustration, they could never be accused of being quiet. Rick Burleson-never at a loss for words-commented after one crushing defeat: “The abuse we have taken and the abuse we must be prepared to take for the entire winter we richly deserve.” But to me, the biggest leader on that squad was El Tiante. The Yanks were leading the Sox by 3 1/2 with fourteen games left. As some other players seemed close to throwing in the towel, his reaction was: “Bleep these guys….win today, win tomorrow, win the next day….The easy thing in life is to give up. Too many players on this team don’t know what it’s like to be treated like cheat most of their lives.” The Sox, as we all know, would come back to force the playoff game.
One of the saddest days in my fan life came two months later when Luis Tiant was allowed to leave and sign with the Yankees.
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