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"Word has gotten around on John Farrell.
Word is, one thing he can cross off his “to-do’’ list as new manager of the Red Sox is devoting much time to earning the respect and loyalty of his players.
Even among the new faces, the ones who weren’t around when he was pitching coach from 2007-10, they understand that when they arrive in Fort Myers a couple of weeks from now, Farrell will be in command and in control.
For a team that had a difficult time dealing with those starting points with Bobby Valentine when he ran his first and only spring training as manager, the fast start should count a great deal.
“The reputation and things we’ve heard . . . hey, I’ve played with all these guys that have had him here, so everything you hear about him is great and everything you guys write about him is great, so I’m excited,” reliever Andrew Miller said last week. “I think the same thing with (new pitching coach) Juan (Nieves) — the reputation is great, and I’m excited to work with him. I hope these are the guys that are here for a long time and I hope that I’m a part of it. It’s a good thing for the organization.”
Herald: John Farrell commands Red Sox’ attention, respect
Is it just me, or is John Farrell being overlooked? Could he be considered the best acquisition of the off season?
At this point a year ago, many were in the mindset that Bobby Valentine would crack the whip and was just what this team needed for an attitude adjustment.
Fast forward through the 93-loss season and Valentine's dodging the media on his bicycle, ripping the Red Sox poster boy in David Ortiz, and prepping for his debut on NBC Sports radio in April.
When Farrell walks into a room, he gets immediate attention. He holds that strong of a precense. He's deep with influential baseball knowledge, he's strict and commanding when he has to be, and he's fantastic with the media; everything you want to head a franchise.
There's no fluff with Farrell. He won't be kissing Dustin Pedroia in the dugout for the camera, he won't be fumbling during press conferences, he won't have "leakage in the 9th".
Farrell is a pure class act with and should have an immediate impact on this Red Sox team.
The Red Sox front office have lusted for Farrell to take the reigns for years. Now in merely two weeks, we finally get to see their love affair come to fruition.
The rest of the links:
Projo: Teams willing to trade veterans often reap the benefits later | CSNNE: Webster thankful for opportunity with Red Sox
