Tito's Managing Quite Nicely, Thank You

Listen. Do you hear that? What? You don't hear anything? Well that's the sound of Terry Francona's critics. There simply aren't many of them.

Amazingly, entering his fourth year in the white-hot glow of the Red Sox Nation spotlight, Tito has managed to avoid any groundswell of criticism. Sure, there are the usually nattering nabobs of negativism, as former VP Spiro Agnew would say, on SOSH who would complain about the taxes they had to pay if they won the lottery, but overall the topic of Tito's managing ability has become virually a non issue. And with good reason. He has done a great job.

This in a town that prides itself on chewing up and spitting out its skippers. If Tito lasts through this season, which there is absolutely no reason he won't, he will be only the second Sox skipper in the last 20 years to make it through at least four full seasons. (Jimy Williams, 97-01, is the other)

When Grady Little was properly toasted after gagging in Game Six, there was a significant number of people who thought his canning was the wrong move. "He won 188 games in two years," they screeched. "Are you going to bring in someone who is going to do better than that?"

Well...yes.

How about 193 wins, a World Championship in his first year and a virtual Division Championship tie in his second. Tito's winning total in 2004-05 is the most of any manager in Sox history over their first two years at the helm. Just a tad better than Grady's two second place finishes and his "bone in the throat" performance in the post season.

Which brings us to the critical difference between Tito and prior successful Sox managers: his ability to come through in the clutch. Despite being down 0-3 to the Yankmees, Tito kept control and proceeded to manage flawlessly over the final 8 games to capture the World Championship. Many experts feel Francona clearly outmanaged his more heralded counterparts Mike Sciosia, Joe Torre and Tony LaRussa in that dazzling postseason.

Compare that to some historic post season performances by previous Sox managers.

Little's meltdown is well chronicled.

John McNamara basically blew the 1986 World Series by removing Roger Clemens in game six (although McNamara insists the Rocket asked out due to a blister) and by leaving Bill Buckner in the game in the final inning even though all season he had substituted Dave Stapleton at first in those situations. Less publicized was McNamara's mismanagment of the pitching staff in Game Seven. Game Seven was moved back a day after a rainout and Mac scratched scheduled starter "Oil Can" Boyd and went with lefty stud Bruce Hurst on three days rest. But when Hurst tired in the fifth and gave up three runs to tie the game, McNamara came back with a shaky Calvin Schiraldi, who had been ineffective in Game Six and whose knees could be heard knocking in the far reaches of Shea Stadium. Schiraldi gave up a tiebreaker homer to Ray Knight, the first batter he faced, and ultimately gave up three runs while recording only one out. A well rested Boyd never even warmed up.


Darrell Johnson, Sox manager from 1974-76, probably cost the Sox a World Championship in 1975. The Sox tied the series at three games apiece on Carlton Fisk's memorable homer in the 12th inning of Game Six. Spaceman Bill Lee was cruising with a 3-0 lead in the sixth in Game Seven when he threw his famous (infamous?) Leephus blooper pitch which Tony Perez crushed over the green monster to make it 3-2. Perez would later tie the game by singling home Pete Rose. With the score still tied and no one on base in the eighth, Johnson inexplicably pinch hit for Jim Willoughby who had been pitching effectively. Going into the ninth with the score still 3-3, Johnson had his whole staff available including ace reliever Dick Drago. He chose untried rookie Jim Burton who promptly walked Ken Griffey Sr. who scored on a Joe Morgan blooper that looked eerily like the one that Jorge Posada hit off Pedro in Game Six in 2003. Another World Title botched.

We can even go back to 1948 when manager Joe McCarthy was faced with choosing a starting pitcher for a one game, winner take all playoff against the Cleveland Indians for the pennant. McCarthy incredibly went with journeyman Denny Galehouse instead of rookie staff ace Mel Parnell. To put that in modern terms, that would be today's equivalent of starting Julian Tavarez instead of Jonathan Papelbon. Galehouse, who had been used in relief most of the year, lasted four innings and was lifted for a pinch hitter trailing 4-1. The Indians rolled to an 8-3 victory that captured the American League Championship.

So far, Tito has avoided any such bizarre decisions and delivered the championship that had been so elusive. He also did a great job keeping the clubhouse together last year when the wheels came off of a promising season, which speaks volumes about his carry with his players. No one blamed him for last season, nor should they.

The big test for Tito will come this year as he deals with the pressures of meeting the expectations that come with a $160 million payroll. But based on his track record, there is no reason to think he won't come through again.