Jon Lester acknowledged the emotional impact of September's freefall –– and clubhouse antics –– and stressed the importance of becoming a leader in the clubhouse while seated before the media on Sunday. In a 20-minute session, he was visibly contrite.
The remorse was subtler with Josh Beckett, mostly because he was sporting shades over his eyes during the session. Although Beckett conceded his mistakes, the veteran pitcher stood his ground on one issue.
"I'm not saying we didn't make mistakes because we did make mistakes in the clubhouse," Beckett said. "But the biggest mistake I made was not pitching well against Baltimore."
Despite the different admissions of guilt, the themes in Beckett's and Lester's messages were nearly identical. Both pitchers wanted to close the chapter on 2011, and pen a new period in 2012. Both pitchers wanted closure.
Sunday's session was the first step in that process. Even before Beckett and Lester opened up to reporters, Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine preached accountability to rebuild trust within the fan base.
"I think our fans will want to see more than they want to hear," he said. "I think they need to hear something also."
Before turning the page forward, Beckett and Lester –– and likely John Lackey at some point –– needed to reflect back. After all, they had an entire offseason away from Boston to duck the issue.
For his part, Beckett remained honest. Sure, he harbored anger against the team personnel that leaked the story on the clubhouse antics. But he owned up to his mistakes, saying he was distracted –– presumably from his wife giving birth –– last fall.
"I had things going on and I got distracted," Beckett said. "I think that was the biggest thing for me. I think going forward I would definitely change –– just not be distracted."
But Lester handled his first test of 2012 with flying colors. As the 28-year-old elaborated on his desire to become a leader, it seemed the session was therapeutic. With each question, he displayed a stronger sense of maturity.
Through all the controversy, Lester managed to pick a positive lesson from a doomed situation.
"Now that it's over, we're here and it's a new season and new start, I'm glad we went through it," Lester said. "It's going to make us better. It's going to make us stronger to where if we get in a situation like that where we're not playing good, we can reflect back on last year in September."
And if so, they'll point to Sunday's apologies as the starting point for closure.
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