In Defense of All Frazees

Bernie Carbohydrate

writes the Semi-Fin
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2001
4,047
South Carolina via Dorchestah
A century ago (January 16, 1920), this note appeared in the Bridgeport (Conn.) Times:

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From this came all kinds of misinformation about the legendary Harry Frazee. Frazee owned the Red Sox in 1918 -- a year they won the World Series -- but when he made a smart business decision a year later, avoiding paying a king's ransom to an outfielder, he was blasted by short-sighted fans. That's why I am so proud of the SoSH consensus regarding another outfielder who is bent on maximizing his value. That's the issue with fans -- they don't take the sober, analytical, numeracy-rich approach to these questions. There's a reason "fan" is short for fanatic.

We really should celebrate the sound financial stewardship of the owners more often. Without their discipline, the players would be running the asylum. I offer an Owner Success Ranking (still needs refining):

(# players traded before big payday * increased ancillary revenue / pink hats (~increased number of blue-collar townies siding with billionaires over millionaires) * (# homers Fisk hit in Comiskey) + (Lester's post-Boston VORP) + number of column-inches in the Boston Globe/Herald/Tribune/Traveler trashing the departed player [aka the Hohler constant]:

Frazee : +1.280
Henry: + 1.101
Sullivan/LeRoux/Jean Yawkey: +1.09
Tom Yawkey: -.860
Lannin: -.990
Taylor: -1.01
Brumder: -2.02

I feel like Henry is getting close to a legend here. What a great offseason to be a Red Sox fan.
 

bradcote

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 27, 2005
3,150
Keepin' it real in Maine
A century ago (January 16, 1920), this note appeared in the Bridgeport (Conn.) Times:

View attachment 28337

From this came all kinds of misinformation about the legendary Harry Frazee. Frazee owned the Red Sox in 1918 -- a year they won the World Series -- but when he made a smart business decision a year later, avoiding paying a king's ransom to an outfielder, he was blasted by short-sighted fans. That's why I am so proud of the SoSH consensus regarding another outfielder who is bent on maximizing his value. That's the issue with fans -- they don't take the sober, analytical, numeracy-rich approach to these questions. There's a reason "fan" is short for fanatic.

We really should celebrate the sound financial stewardship of the owners more often. Without their discipline, the players would be running the asylum. I offer an Owner Success Ranking (still needs refining):

(# players traded before big payday * increased ancillary revenue / pink hats (~increased number of blue-collar townies siding with billionaires over millionaires) * (# homers Fisk hit in Comiskey) + (Lester's post-Boston VORP) + number of column-inches in the Boston Globe/Herald/Tribune/Traveler trashing the departed player [aka the Hohler constant]:

Frazee : +1.280
Henry: + 1.101
Sullivan/LeRoux/Jean Yawkey: +1.09
Tom Yawkey: -.860
Lannin: -.990
Taylor: -1.01
Brumder: -2.02

I feel like Henry is getting close to a legend here. What a great offseason to be a Red Sox fan.
I wish the message board technology allowed us to "love" a post. So much goodness here.
 

Marciano490

Urological Expert
SoSH Member
Nov 4, 2007
62,312
Wait, there wasn’t a DH back then, why is he noting he played the field when not hitting?
 

Bernie Carbohydrate

writes the Semi-Fin
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 2, 2001
4,047
South Carolina via Dorchestah
No No, No, Nanette?
Frazee is now thought to have financed "My Lady Friends" (1920) with the Ruth cash, starring Clifton "Paxton" Crawford.

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Nanette was four years later, a musical adaptation of "My Lady Friends." The Sons of Moose Grimshaw were on EZBoard back then, so the thread is lost to time, but the smartest posters agreed that Ruth would not age well, given his body type and big swing. Thank goodness we didn't get caught on the back end of that deal!

Edit: "Turn in the box" refers to his place in the pitching rotation.
 
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Archer1979

shazowies
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SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
7,870
Right Here