Looks as if we’ve got another power struggle on Yawkey Way, except this time it’s Sox chief executive officer Larry Lucchino vs. general manager Ben Cherington, each pushing different candidates for manager.
Bobby V appears to be Larry’s guy. Gene Lamont looks like Ben’s guy. And you never know when a mystery man might emerge.
The idea that the Sox are still in some kind of managerial discovery phase is preposterous. Is it really possible that they are poring over data, trying to make up their minds? Valentine is 61. Lamont is 64. They’ve both been in professional baseball for parts of the last six decades. Their résumés are voluminous and easy to access.
So this isn’t about gathering information or interviewing people. It’s about who gets to make the call.
It’s Larry-Theo, the Next Generation.
I reached Lucchino briefly in his office yesterday morning. He said he couldn’t talk to me. He said there would be no announcement yesterday.
I followed that up with, “Do you have any comment on how indecisive this makes you guys look?’’
“Goodbye, Dan,’’ he answered. “Nice to talk to you.’’
Click.
Dial tone.
OK. Maybe today. Or Friday. Certainly it would be nice if the Sox had a manager when all major league teams start their winter meetings in Dallas Monday (Liverpool has a big game in London against Fulham that day).
It’s always nice to have a manager when you are trying to assemble a roster and avoid finishing in third place for a third straight season. Think a manager might have had an opinion on the wisdom of keeping Jonathan Papelbon? Having a manager in place might make it easier for David Ortiz to decide if he wants to accept salary arbitration.
We have reached the point at which this is beyond embarrassment. The Sox risk losing players now. Does Mark Buehrle want to sign with the Sox when he doesn’t know who the manager or pitching coach is going to be? Carlos Beltran?
