NEW YORK — Boston Red Sox owner John Henry can't ignore the irony.
He once was a minority owner of the New York Yankees, who the Red Sox played in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series Thursday night.
And until 18 months ago he owned the Florida Marlins, the NL representative in the World Series this year, selling the franchise so he could by the Red Sox.
Henry said he felt comfortable as a visitor to Yankee Stadium for Games 6 and 7 of the ALCS.
"I've got the same seats for this series that I had when I was a limited partner," said Henry.
The emotional ties are much stronger to the Marlins.
"I traveled with those guys," Henry said. "I was with A.J. (Burnett) when he pitched his no-hitter in 2001 and afterward we all went out to dinner together. How could I not have a feeling for that team? How could I not root for them? We signed almost all of them."
Well, not quite. Ten of the 19 players who appeared in the Marlins' seven-game NL Championship Series upset of the Chicago Cubs have been acquired since Henry's sale of the franchise in Feburary of 2002, and the front office, coaching staff and manager have changed.
COMMERICALIZATION: Right-handed reliever Todd Jones, released by the Rockies in mid-season and picked up by Boston, is enjoying his first post-season exposure, but says the marketing approach tarnishes the event.
"MLB has done a nice job of selling its soul during the playoffs," Jones wrote in his weekly column in the Birmingham News. "As soon as the postseason begins, MLB moves in and decides everything from who gets passes to get on the field to what product will be put in our hands for advertising. Todd Walker is a prime example. In Game 1 (of the Division Series), he had just hit a game-tying home run. Immediately afterward, he's supposed to grab a Gatorade to drink, then reach for his Majestic sweatshirt to keep him nice and warm. And for $99.95, you can get yours at MLB.com! ... I'm thankful for it, but I'll admit, all the concentration on the almighty dollar takes some of the innocence out of it."
LEGAL MATTERS: Paul Williams, the part-time groundskeeper involved in a melee Saturday in the New York Yankees bullpen at Fenway Park, retained lawyer Patrick T. Jones of Boston to possibly pursue a civil suit against two Yankees players, according to the Boston Globe.
Williams, 24, was allegedly attacked by relief pitcher Jeff Nelson and outfielder Karim Garcia, according to a police report filed by two Boston police officers who broke up the altercation. The players indicated Williams provoked them.
An incident report filed after the game indicated that police would seek summonses for assault and battery against the two players. The case remains under investigation, and witnesses are still being interviewed. If there is evidence, there will be a formal request to schedule a probable cause hearing in Roxbury District Court.
http://www.naplesnews.com/03/10/sports/e38867a.htm
He once was a minority owner of the New York Yankees, who the Red Sox played in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series Thursday night.
And until 18 months ago he owned the Florida Marlins, the NL representative in the World Series this year, selling the franchise so he could by the Red Sox.
Henry said he felt comfortable as a visitor to Yankee Stadium for Games 6 and 7 of the ALCS.
"I've got the same seats for this series that I had when I was a limited partner," said Henry.
The emotional ties are much stronger to the Marlins.
"I traveled with those guys," Henry said. "I was with A.J. (Burnett) when he pitched his no-hitter in 2001 and afterward we all went out to dinner together. How could I not have a feeling for that team? How could I not root for them? We signed almost all of them."
Well, not quite. Ten of the 19 players who appeared in the Marlins' seven-game NL Championship Series upset of the Chicago Cubs have been acquired since Henry's sale of the franchise in Feburary of 2002, and the front office, coaching staff and manager have changed.
COMMERICALIZATION: Right-handed reliever Todd Jones, released by the Rockies in mid-season and picked up by Boston, is enjoying his first post-season exposure, but says the marketing approach tarnishes the event.
"MLB has done a nice job of selling its soul during the playoffs," Jones wrote in his weekly column in the Birmingham News. "As soon as the postseason begins, MLB moves in and decides everything from who gets passes to get on the field to what product will be put in our hands for advertising. Todd Walker is a prime example. In Game 1 (of the Division Series), he had just hit a game-tying home run. Immediately afterward, he's supposed to grab a Gatorade to drink, then reach for his Majestic sweatshirt to keep him nice and warm. And for $99.95, you can get yours at MLB.com! ... I'm thankful for it, but I'll admit, all the concentration on the almighty dollar takes some of the innocence out of it."
LEGAL MATTERS: Paul Williams, the part-time groundskeeper involved in a melee Saturday in the New York Yankees bullpen at Fenway Park, retained lawyer Patrick T. Jones of Boston to possibly pursue a civil suit against two Yankees players, according to the Boston Globe.
Williams, 24, was allegedly attacked by relief pitcher Jeff Nelson and outfielder Karim Garcia, according to a police report filed by two Boston police officers who broke up the altercation. The players indicated Williams provoked them.
An incident report filed after the game indicated that police would seek summonses for assault and battery against the two players. The case remains under investigation, and witnesses are still being interviewed. If there is evidence, there will be a formal request to schedule a probable cause hearing in Roxbury District Court.
http://www.naplesnews.com/03/10/sports/e38867a.htm
