MassLive Coverage of Red Sox Weekend Purge
Sometimes I feel like journalism is similar to firefighting: You never know when you’ll need to spring into action. Well, that’s how I felt Saturday night when the news broke that Red Sox Coach Alex Cora and five other colleagues had been let go in Baltimore.
The response from our crew of sports reporters was excellent and included 32 stories in 24 hours highlighted by:
This wasn’t supposed to be my first Behind the Scenes column. I wanted to launch with something softer and talk about how the column will offer a view behind the headlines and chats with our reporters.
In this instance, I called up Red Sox Reporter Chris Cotillo for a few words about the weekend purge:
Josh: Have you seen anything like this before?
Chris: No, and I don't think many people in baseball have. Not only is Cora's firing the first in-season change John Henry's ownership group has made since taking over in 2002, but it also marks the earliest Red Sox managerial change since 1907.
The striking thing, though, is that it wasn't just Cora who got canned. The fact Henry and Craig Breslow were intent on getting rid of so many coaches — all Cora loyalists, especially Ramón Vázquez, Pete Fatse and Jason Varitek — speaks to a greater issue with the staff and wanting to rid themselves of the culture.
Josh: How do you think the team is responding?
Chris: With anger and confusion in the clubhouse and better play on the field. On Sunday, Trevor Story and Garrett Whitlock — two veterans who usually very measured — made it clear they were unhappy with the firings and that they wanted a "more satisfactory" explanation from Breslow and ownership than the one they got during a Sunday morning team meeting. There was real tension between the players and the decision-makers in a way we haven't seen in a long time.
On the field, though, the team played a clean game Sunday in Baltimore behind a good Connelly Early start. Quietly, they've won two in a row and appear to be keeping the positive momentum in Toronto.
Josh: Who will be the next coach — any guesses?
Chris: Interim manager Chad Tracy has a stellar reputation in the organization and it seems like he will be given a real chance to be the permanent manager, especially if the team plays better in the coming weeks and months. Still, in a market as big as Boston, it's rare to see someone with no experience in the majors (either playing or managing) take on such a big role. Some notable names to watch include Rocco Baldelli, David Ross... and if the Red Sox are willing to take a big, risky swing for PR purposes, Dustin Pedroia.
Parting Shot: A new restaurant in Oak Bluffs
Every so often I plan to throw in some odds and ends. For this opener, I want to introduce you to a new restaurant on Martha’s Vineyard.
Esh just opened on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs, and it’s a special place—not just for the food, but for the space itself. You can take a peek inside with this short video.
The restaurant was designed and built by owner Evan Shai, his siblings, and his father, Raphael, an artist and craftsman whose winding path took him from Morocco where he was born to the U.S. Dining at Esh feels like stepping inside an original sculpture. Chef Michael Thomas’s food is thoughtful, savory, and beautifully prepared.
I’m not a restaurant reviewer or influencer, and I wasn’t paid for this—I have no connection to Esh at all—but if you’re on the Vineyard this summer, it’s worth booking a table.
Oh, and if you are wondering, Esh is Hebrew for “Fire”.
Sincerely,
