Mazz: Quick Thoughts On Chaim Bloom Being Fired
Chaim Bloom has been fired by the Boston Red Sox, and Tony Massarotti had a couple of initial thoughts before going on the air this afternoon.
Transcript
Hey, it’s Tony Massarotti, 98.5 The Sports Hub. The Red Sox just fired Chaim Bloom. So we thought we’d give you a couple of quick thoughts here off the top as to what this means for the organization.
First of all, nobody should be surprised by this. It was evident that Cora and Bloom were not seeing eye to eye with regard to the philosophy and direction of the organization. One of them had to go, if not both. And so the fact that it’s bloom really indicates how firmly cemented Cora is in the organization.
The next GM of the team will be the third that Alex Cora works with, thinking that it’s really backwards. Most time the manager gets fired, the GM stays. This has been the opposite. In fact, Corey gets suspended, obviously, and still has kept his job during that period in time, which should tell you plenty.
Secondly, as it relates to the structure of the organization, Brian O’Halloran, who was the first LT under Chaim Bloom, has been offered another job in the organization. This should tell you a couple of things.
First of all, O’Halloran is not a candidate to be general manager. The Red Sox would have left that out. They’ve offered him another position in the organization.
And secondly, Eddie Romero was not mentioned in this release at all. Eddie Romero was beneath Halloran, but has a good relationship with Cora. I would look for some sort of collaborative leadership group from the Red Sox, including Alex Cora. The point being, just as Mike Sosa ran the Dodgers, or rather the Angels for many, many years, I think essentially Alex Cora is going to be the dominant voice in the Red Sox baseball operation.
And Cora’s contract is up at the end of next season. I would vote for some sort of extension with Cora in the coming weeks or months because you can’t let him go in as a lame duck, particularly if Romero is the general manager. I think the Red Sox need stability and my guess is they’re going to head in that direction.
And then third, the first job for the new group. Pitching, pitching, pitching, starting with the right handed pitcher Yamamoto in Japan. He’s the most appealing guy in the market.
The Red Sox have to spend if they’re going to get this guy. So that goes back to ownership. But they bring in a new general manager who doesn’t spend. Then the impetus and the pressure is really going to get turned up on President Sam Kennedy and on owners John Henry and Tom Werner.
Anyway, those are initial thoughts. I’m headed on the air here to 2:00 with Mike Felger. We’ll be talking Red Sox for much of the day. Thanks for listening.
Every Rookie of the Year in Red Sox History
3. Carlton Fisk – 1972
BOSTON, MA – MAY 26: Jarrod Saltalamacchia #39 of the Boston Red Sox shakes hands with Hall of Famer and former Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk, after Fisk threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on May 26, 2012 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Gail Oskin/Getty Images)
A 21-year-old Carlton Fisk had his baseball career interrupted after joining the Army Reserve, but he came back with vengeance in 1972, winning Rookie of the Year, finishing 4th in MVP voting, and taking home a Gold Glove behind the plate. He ended up slashing .293/.370/.538/.909 with 22 homers, 28 doubles, and 9 triples. Fisk was the first unanimous AL Rookie of the Year and is still the last catcher to lead the AL in triples.
4. Fred Lynn – 1975
American baseball player Fred Lynn at bat for the Boston Red Sox, late 1970s. Lynn played for Boston from 1974 – 1980. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Fred Lynn owns the most memorable Rookie of the Year campaign in Red Sox history. On top of bringing home the Rookie of the Year award, he also won American League MVP, a Gold Glove, and helped lead the team to a World Series appearance against the Reds. It marked the start of 9 straight All-Star appearances.
5. Nomar Garciaparra – 1997
Nomar Garciaparra #5 of the Boston Red Sox looking on during the game against the Anaheim Angels at Edison Field in Anaheim, California on Aug. 5, 1999. The Angels defeated the Red Sox 8-0. (Tom Hauck/Allsport)
After a cameo in 1994, Nomar Garciaparra exploded onto the scene by winning Rookie of the Year and finishing 8th in MVP voting in 1997. He ended up socking 30 homers and batting .306/.342/.534/.875, which led to him winning the only Silver Slugger of his career. Jose Cruz and Jason Dickson finished behind him in Rookie of the Year voting, but neither received any first place votes.
6. Dustin Pedroia – 2007
BOSTON, MA – MAY 07: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after throwing the runner out at first base in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds during the interleague game at Fenway Park on May 7, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Dustin Pedroia was the last Red Sox player to accomplish the feat and it’s arguably the most memorable storyline of the 2007 World Series championship. After a slow start in April that talking voices hammered constantly, he finished the season with a final line of .317/.380/.442/.823 with 8 homers and 39 doubles. Now, whenever a top prospect tends to struggle, Pedroia is the very first name that comes to mind when certain parts of the fanbase are asking for patience.
