Gone East

Good Luck Grady

In case you didn't notice, the Red Sox announced yesterday that they would not be renewing the contract of Manager Grady Little.

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I was among the throngs of Boston fans who, prior to Game 7, were singing Grady's praises. He had guided us through the Oakland comeback, and now, in Game 6, his faith in Nomar, and some others who had been slumping, was rewarded with a very important win.

Grady was a god. He deserved a big fat new contract. He had just the right mix of diplomatic skills and big-league baseball savvy.

Grady was good.

Then Game 7, Inning 8. Grady made a HUGE mistake.

Should he be fired, after all the good things he did, for just this one mistake? That's a tough question.

I kinda wish he could stick around. Be given a chance to redeem himself. Show that he can learn from his mistakes, become a better manager.

But I reluctantly agree that he can't stay in Boston. He has become too much of a story, a symbol, for all this self-doubt we have here.

If Grady continued to manage the Sox, every non-textbook move he made would be debated endlessly. Manny Ramirez could have all the drinks with his Yankee buddies that he wanted, and nobody would notice, because of the controversy that would flare up every time Grady made the simplest of judgement calls. One out in the eighth would never be the same.

So Grady has to go, because he can't stay.

I hope Grady does well. I believe that after the furor dies down he can get another major-league manager gig. I hope then he'll be able to show what he can do, what he has learned.

Good luck Grady.

Oh, and let your hair grow out, cause that buzzcut looks silly on you.

Posted by jghiii at October 28, 2003 09:03 AM