On Sunday, the last day of MLB's abbreviated 60-game season, the Boston Red Sox announced that Ron Roenicke would not return as the team's manager after a single season at the team's helm.
Roenicke was hired to replace Alex Cora after Cora was suspended by MLB for the 2020 season due to his involvement in the Houston Astros 2017 electronic sign stealing scandal. Cora was the Astros' bench coach under A.J. Hinch when they won the 2017 World Series and considered the mastermind of the system. The Red Sox would hire Cora as their manager and he led the team to a World Series title in 2018. But Cora appeared to have brought his cheating ways to Fenway Park and MLB also investigated the Red Sox.
Initially, Roenicke was given an interim tag as he served as Cora's bench coach. But this tag would be removed after MLB's investigation into the Red Sox concluded in April and determined Roenicke had no role in the scheme. With the departures of Mookie Betts and David Price and an injury to Chris Sale, the Red Sox were not expected to contend in 2020. Indeed, they finished in last place in the AL East with a 24-36 record.
Roenicke's dismissal has naturally launched speculation that the Red Sox could bring back Cora next season. Red Sox Baseball CEO Chaim Bloom has previously ruled out bringing back Cora, but Red Sox President Sam Kennedy is a Cora fan. Now Bloom is saying the "time isn't now" to discuss the matter. Given that Roenicke has been let go, the time to discuss the matter would be now. It tells me that Cora is in the running.
If the Red Sox re-hire Cora it sends the message that cheating is acceptable. If President Trump can remain in office despite impeachment then why can't the Red Sox re-hire Cora? In which case, what the hell are we telling our kids?
The Red Sox would be wise to make a complete break and hire a manager whose character is above reproach. In which case, perhaps they should take a page from the Astros book and make a Dusty Baker like hire. Assuming Baker remains with the Astros, the first guy who comes to mind is Buck Showalter. Of course, if the Astros decide to bring back Hinch then perhaps the Red Sox can hire Baker. Whatever the Red Sox, they need to hire someone who plays by the book and is no-nonsense.
Alas it remains to be seen if the Red Sox will exercise their power more wisely than the Trump White House.
No comments:
Post a Comment