Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino recently sent a letter to season-ticket holders addressing the team's first-half struggles as well as his optimism for the remainder of the season. Lucchino wrote, “As we cross the midpoint of our 2012 season, we thank you for your loyal support thus far.” He added, “Our play on the field has at times tested the mettle of the faithful. It could be maddening one day, enthralling the next day. … The one constant on the field has been our beloved Big Papi, David Ortiz.” Lucchino: “As we begin the second half, we look forward to the return of the ‘varsity,’ including Jacoby Ellsbury, Carl Crawford, Andrew Bailey, and the ever-dirty Dustin Pedroia. ... While this infusion of such talent in late July may make other General Managers green with envy, you can be sure that Ben Cherington and his Baseball Operations Staff will approach the July 31 trading deadline with their tireless work ethic. If someone can further help this club, and if the deal makes sense, we will be aggressive. We want to play October Baseball this year” (Multi., 7/13).
BEANTOWN BLUES: A BOSTON.CBSLOCAL.com report asked, “Was this really the best idea for Lucchino and the Sox?” WBZ-FM broadcaster Scott Zolak said, “Don’t you lay low if you’re him. Just try to sneak back into this thing?” WBZ's Andy Gresh said that “all the names Lucchino used for his players ... [were] pretty corny.” Gresh: “It’s like bad wrestling gimmick names. I’m sure the ‘inspired’ Daniel Nava, Scott Podsednik and all the people who have held down the fort through the injuries are happy to hear the management say ‘the return of the varsity.’ That’s nice” (BOSTON.CBSLOCAL.com, 7/13). Comcast SportsNet New England's Rich Levine wrote of Lucchino’s praise for Ortiz, “Vintage Lucchino. Over-the-top to the point of insincerity. ‘What? What do you mean Big Papi doesn’t like the way we treat him? Didn’t he see my letter to the Season Ticket Holders?!’” (CSNNE.com, 7/13). Baseball writer Murray Chass wrote, “Lucchino has been in Boston too long (11 years) to think he can bamboozle Red Sox fans, but that doesn’t stop the team’s president and chief executive officer from trying” (MURRAYCHASS.com, 7/15).
