Terry Francona has proved himself as someone who can handle both good times and bad. Fifteen years ago in 1996, the Sox also started badly, with 12 losses in their first 15 games after winning the division the year before. But manager Kevin Kennedy, who later went on to be a TV color man, couldn’t handle the team’s poor start. After one particularly tough loss, he strongly criticized his pitching staff, which then included Roger Clemens.
Whether Kennedy’s remarks made any difference, they put him in a tough position with GM Dan Duquette. Though the Sox recovered and finished the year with an 85-77 record, Duquette apparently lost faith in Kennedy and fired him after the season. What a difference in managers. We’re lucky to have Tito here.
Mike Passanisi
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
