Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
WHDH TV (Channel 7) in Boston said Josh Beckett, John Lackey and Jon Lester would leave the dugout for the clubhouse late in the game and return to the dugout with plastic cups filled with beer.
Said Lester: "The accusation that we were drinking in the dugout during games is completely false. Anonymous sources are continuing to provide exaggerated and, in this case, inaccurate information to the media."
"I cannot let this allegation go without response; enough is enough," added Beckett. "I admit that I made mistakes along the way this season, but this has gone too far. To say that we drank in the dugout during the game is not true."
Added Lackey: "There are things that went on this season that shouldn't have happened, but this latest rumor is not true, and I felt that it was important to try to stop this from going any further."
CSNNE - Players, Francona deny WHDH report
Watch that video clip above. Those three words summarize my feelings about this.
Enough is enough. We get it. Last year was a joke. Players acted like children, took advantage of their manager, and behaved unprofessionally. Players drank beer, there was infighting, fried chicken was involved. Probably a few rounds of Call of Duty.
There's probably some more gritty details that haven't been uncovered yet. But let them stay uncovered. The whole organization, except for a few individuals, looks like a bunch of buffoons. The damage has been done. Fans want the team sold. They want player's heads. Telling me that John Lackey gave Josh Reddick a swirly before the final game isn't going to change our opinion of him. We hate John Lackey. You're not going to get us to hate him any more. So just let it go.
And it's about time we hear from Beckett and Lackey. Although it's only to deny this latest rumor. If this is what pulls them out of hiding, one must assume all other reports are accurate. And guys, could you try something a little more sincere then, "Yes, I made mistakes. But I didn't make this mistake."?
This offseason is already tedious and the freaking World Series hasn't even started yet. Ugh.
On Page 2, we're not the only ones sick of all this Red Sox talk
Even when the Red Sox are not anywhere near the Fall Classic, they still can manage to steal some of the focus away.
Just ask the Texas Rangers’ Josh Hamilton.
“Right now, the two teams that got it done are here,” Hamilton told FoxSports.com at the workout yesterday. “Hopefully the focus will be on them, not worrying about where Boston is and what they’re going to do with their GMs or pitching or whatever.”
Sorry, Josh, but even though this is the last call for baseball fans to get their final fix before winter sets it, it’s a little hard to just let go of that Red Sox-centric view of things.
Herald - Sox talk in air
I'm with you, Josh. At least when it comes to the TMZ approach to Red Sox reporting.
Hopefully some real news can break about Epstein so we can focus on something that matters.
Rest of the links:
CSNNE - McAdam: Sox need a major cleanup | Varitek speaks, defends teammates | Patrick has chip on his shoulder about Ortiz | Herald - Sox ship sinking fast | Red Sox deny drinking in dugout | Globe - Varitek says Sox stuck together | WEEI - Varitek to appear on WAAF Wednesday | NESN - Jerry Remy's Bar Hosting 'Occupy Fenway,' Letting Red Sox Fans Vent Frustrations With 'Open Mic Rant' | Report: Theo Epstein Talks Still Stalemated, But He Could Bring Prominent Member of Red Sox Organization to Cubs
