Red Sox Owner John Henry, Chair Tom Werner and President & CEO Larry Lucchino on Saturday met with the media at the team's Spring Training facility in Ft. Myers, Fla., and acknowledged what has "become obvious, that their once-glittering franchise has fallen on difficult times and must find a way to rise again," according to Peter Abraham of the BOSTON GLOBE. In its 11th season, the ownership group is "facing a new challenge after years of unprecedented success." Werner said, "We accept our share of the responsibility for perhaps not having a more open-door policy. I think we’ll be more present this year." Lucchino "defended the financial commitment of the owners, saying the quiet offseason was not the result of budgetary constraints." Lucchino said that the payroll would reach $190M and that the Red Sox again would "pay baseball’s competitive balance tax despite the increased penalties in the new" CBA. Henry said, "The discussion seems to be centering around that we’re not spending money. We have the second-highest payroll in baseball. This year, 2012, we have the second-highest payroll. Does that mean we’re not spending?" However, Abraham noted Lucchino conceded that the trade of SS Marco Scutaro to the Rockies was, "in part, a salary dump" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/26). Henry said, "Every year we have a budget, and every year we go over our budget. Are we prepared to go over our budget again? Yes, if the right situation presents itself." Meanwhile, in Boston, Scott Lauber reported Henry was asked to "address criticism that he spends too much time watching" EPL club Liverpool. Henry "claimed he checks in with Werner and Lucchino to discuss the Red Sox '365 days a year.'" Henry: "Virtually every day there’s something related to baseball" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/26). ESPN BOSTON's Gordon Edes wrote the subject of Henry's involvement with Liverpool is "clearly one that rankles Henry, who left after hosting Mayor Tom Menino at a ribbon-cutting ceremony" in Boston to fly to London, where Liverpool won the Carling Cup final yesterday (ESPNBOSTON.com, 2/26).
SILENT OWNER: In Boston, Steve Buckley wrote the Red Sox ownership group "had an awful offseason," and given all the support Red Sox fans have "bestowed on this team over the past decade, they have a right to know that the owners are not asleep at the switch." Buckley: "Let’s be real: The Henry-Werner-Lucchino troika is coming off its worst offseason since it was handed the franchise in 2002" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/26). Also in Boston, Dan Shaughnessy wrote Henry "never has been one to fire up his troops with rhetoric." However, would it have "killed him to speak to his team (Saturday) during the annual 'big meeting' that launches the season?" During the 45-minute session, Henry "said nothing at all." He instead "just stood back and let it all be." Shaughnessy wrote Henry has been a "great owner and could continue to be a great owner, but he is one quirky guy." After everything that has "happened to his ball club since September of 2011, he chose not to say anything in the biggest meeting of every season" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/26). SI.com’s Peter King asks, “Who is doing the Red Sox PR? More shooting the messenger after an offseason of ignoring the drinking-in-the-clubhouse-during-games stories from last season.” The team “never addressed it, except to say it wants it buried and wants everyone to look ahead, not behind” (SI.com, 2/27).
BOOZE BAN: The BOSTON HERALD's Lauber reported Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine announced the "prohibition of alcohol in the clubhouse and on the final leg of plane trips." Valentine said that the ban is something he instituted while manager of the Mets and in Japan, "not strictly a response to the revelation that pitchers often drank 'rally beers' in the clubhouse during games last season." He said the players’ reaction ranged "somewhere right in between a standing (ovation) and a standing boo." Valentine added that he "didn't consult any players before making the decision" (BOSTON HERALD, 2/26). The BOSTON GLOBE's Abraham noted the Red sox are the 19th team to "ban alcohol in the clubhouse." The alcohol ban on "Boston-bound flights is a safety issue." Those charter flights "typically arrive well after midnight and the players drive home from Fenway Park afterward" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/26). The Red Sox came under scrutiny after several pitchers last year reportedly would sit in the clubhouse and drink beer during games in which they were not scheduled to pitch. ESPN's Terry Francona, who managed the team last year, said, “I don’t think it is a surprise that they put this into effect or the fact that they announced it. It’s probably more of a PR move just because the Red Sox took such a beating at the end of the year.” ESPN's Mike Golic said, “There is no need to serve it. Guys can go get it if they want to get it” (“Mike & Mike in the Morning,” ESPN Radio, 2/27).
