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There’s a sudden sense of urgency surrounding the Boston Red Sox.
Red Sox manager John Farrell held a 45-minute meeting with five veteran players before Sunday’s game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park. Farrell didn’t identify the players by name, but the skipper explained that the gist of the impromptu conference was to reinforce the importance of an aggressive approach.
“It was an opportunity to meet with our veteran group, to reemphasize the importance of the role that they provide to the younger players and how they go about and execute inside the game,” Farrell told reporters in Arlington. “I guess the best way to describe it is that there was an opportunity for them to speak. I wanted to get their feedback, I wanted to give them some additional expectations that exist, some ideas that I think need to be carried out. And it was a chance to talk through those and what do we do going forward.”
The Red Sox played arguably their worst game of the season Saturday. They struggled in all facets en route to an 8-0 loss, which marked their fifth defeat in six games. Boston entered Sunday with a 22-28 record and in last place in the American League East.
Words like “ugly” and “terrible” were thrown around by the Red Sox following Saturday’s loss. It’s clear things need to change, and Farrell’s hope is that Sunday’s meeting will help elicit a turnaround.
“You’re always looking for opportunities to identify things and make changes or adjustments as you feel is the right way to go,” Farrell said. “Ultimately, it comes about how we go out and play the game in a smart way, but yet not be what I thought (Saturday) was a very tentative approach to the game.”
Based on Farrell’s description of the five players, it’s safe to assume the group consisted of David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Mike Napoli, Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval — five veteran, everyday position players who are considered clubhouse leaders. No other coaches were present.
Thumbnail photo via Jim Cowsert/USA TODAY Sports Images
