In N.Y., Filip Bondy writes while Yankees Managing General Partner & co-Chair Hal Steinbrenner last week “voiced a rational reaction to a bitter ending” to the '12 season, his “generic spin underlined again the void that exists now without” late Owner George Steinbrenner. Bondy: “If George had been around these past few days, still operating in peak form, we could have expected a very different set of circumstances.” There is “no panic, no headlines with these Yanks.” While that is “surely a saner way to run a baseball franchise, the end result is that the sport, ironically enough, is less healthy in this city because of such sounder methods” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/23).
WORKING TWO JOBS: In Akron, Sheldon Ocker reports Indians manager Terry Francona “will continue to be an analyst for ESPN through the World Series, which is putting a squeeze on his time.” However, the net has been “generous in giving him the chance to research his new roster of players and learn as much as he can about the state of the franchise.” Francona also “expects to be involved in player personnel decisions, including free-agent signings and trades.” The relationship between Francona and GM Chris Antonetti “can blur lines of authority.” Francona said, “I’ve known Chris and [Indians President Mark Shapiro] for a long time. I’m afforded an opinion, and that’s nice. But I have no ambition to be a general manager, and I respect the chain of command” (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 10/23).
FROM VALENTINE TO SWEETHEART: In Boston, Gerry Callahan writes of the Red Sox naming John Farrell manager, “A notoriously impatient ownership group will now show some patience.” Farrell will “get to pick his own coaches," and might even "be allowed to yell at his players.” Callahan: “The good news for Farrell is that the Red Sox are like last call at a singles bar. Expectations have been lowered." If Farrell wins 81 games next year, "they’ll throw a duck boat parade for him" (BOSTON HERALD, 10/23).
HARD PILL TO SWALLOW: In San Diego, Nick Canepa wrote of Chargers PR Dir Bill Johnston, “In no way am I here today to say Johnston as a professional was right when he wrote a Thursday column on the Chargers Web site asking fans to ‘take a chill pill’ following Monday night’s embarrassing defeat to the Denver Broncos.” Canepa: “But it was his right. The problem is that he didn't really say what he wanted to say in the correct manner.” Johnston said, “My only goal was to hopefully make people think about what lies ahead. I didn't mean to criticize or offend anyone” (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 10/20).
