No Town Hall this year at Red Sox Winter Weekend
- Thread starter Cassvt2023
- Start date
Looks like the booing last year really had an effect on the brass. I guess they weren't prepared for chants of "Full throttle, really?" this year. It is yet another back look for this ownership group.
I said this last year when it happened. My son and his friends hit MGM that weekend right after the Town Hall. They had no idea that the Winter Weekend was happening when they walked in, but they sat about a table or two away from Bloom who was staring aimlessly into his cell phone like an inmate who was just asked to relinquish his shoe laces for fear of doing himself harm.
Just a ridiculously bad look from an ownership group that has struggled with accountability in recent years. I don’t blame them though as I wouldn’t want to be a part of it after what happened last year with the booing incident and the subsequent denial afterwards.
Ease off the throttle!
Ease off the throttle!
No doubt it's a really bad look. Someone posted this news in the rumors thread yesterday but it got lost.
I guess they feel another round of angry intoxicated fans bulldozing their presentation would be a worse look. Not saying I agree, but it makes sense that that's probably the calculus here. They decided to to take this hit now instead of risking much worse optics at MGM. Again, not endorsing, but it's understandable.
I don't take it as a sign moves won't be made before then, just that even if they are, there would be people looking to turn it into a shit show just for kicks. Tough spot they put themselves in.
It's not really understandable at all in my view, showing up when fans are restless is the definition of accountability for ownership. Yeah, it would be a terrible look *for them* to be booed and jeered, but put a good product on the field and that won't happen.
I don't like it, I just understand their reasoning. I think it's chickenshit, to be honest.
Eh. I have mixed thoughts. It's one thing to go and be responsible. It's another to fight to have your say through a bunch of mouth-breathers who aren't going to listen, have already made up their minds, and are just going to post on social media how awesome they were by heckling.
Overall, I think it's a courtesy thing. If the fan base at that event can't act like civil adults, why bother?
If I were in their shoes, I'd probably go this year. But if the fans did that two years running, I'd cancel it.
Overall, I think it's a courtesy thing. If the fan base at that event can't act like civil adults, why bother?
If I were in their shoes, I'd probably go this year. But if the fans did that two years running, I'd cancel it.
I think the team/ownership were surprised last year and have not yet really figured out the landscape of sports fandom and Red Sox fandom in 2024. Part of it is that the team has had a number of disappointing years, and part of it is how media has changed to be always-on and more engagement/anger-driven. Last year they expected more of a happy love fest with fans just glad to be there, this year they have realized that's not what's happening but they haven't figured out a better way to engage. (I don't know what that better way is, to be honest.)
I’m glad they packed it up. It’s a fan festival that got high jacked by blowhards. It’s not an investor meeting to discuss the financials of the company.
I think a better fan statement is not attending games, buying NESN and/or doing something that makes them happy.
I think a better fan statement is not attending games, buying NESN and/or doing something that makes them happy.
Bingo.
It's complete chickenshit but I also completely understand why they wouldn't want to do it again. I am not sure how they can put positive spin on the offseason thus far and I don't think anyone wants to get in front of a group of angry fans to be booed (not to mention how uncomfortable John Henry looks any time he has to speak in public).
I am a bit surprised that Henry and Werner didn't run Sam Kennedy out there to be the sacrifical lamb, although that would come with its own set of criticisms
"restless" would be ok. Last year was more than "restless." This year would likely be even more so. I dont think they like being booed. But they've put up with that. I really think they have a rational fear for their safety. (Would you bet against the occurrence of a physical altercation? Physical intimidation is talk radio currency.) That that is also a convenient excuse doesn't make it less likely.
OTOH--They could just sit there for 90 minutes and remain silent while the people throw shit. They wouldnt have to say a thing! win-win.
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That's fair, and I also don't think some people understand that it was beyond ridiculous last year. Ugly unacceptable shit.
And I agree with Rod that it won't happen if the team is good, but there's no wand that gets them there by then. I still wish they'd face the music and think they should, but I was only half kidding when I said MGM was going to need to add extra security this year earlier in the thread.
We need to crowdfund @TomRicardo to any event where Sam Kennedy answers fan questions. It has the potential to be more entertaining than the actual season.
Those mouth-breathers made John Henry a billionaire (he wasn't one when he bought the team). This is a chickenshit move by a man who used to make communication with the fans a priority, and your constant holier-than-thou fan-policing on every page of every thread is the worst thing about this board right now.
I didn;t see RR's post as fan-policing at all. UNLESS you think its ok for fans to, say hurl profanity and maybe objects at the owners. Those fans need policing, wouldn;t you say?
I think this is pretty hyperbolic. I highly, highly doubt that they cancelled this because they felt like the stage was going to be rushed and they were going to be beaten up or that they were in danger of having bottles thrown at them or whatever.
Plus, as was pointed out earlier, if that was really a strong fear they could have paid for more security.
IMO, it's pretty simple. These are incredibly rich men who aren't used to hearing the word "no", let alone being booed and harangued by a crowd.
I support the institution he currently happens to be the caretaker of. It's the generations of fans who have made the Red Sox what they are today, not the owner who collects the gate receipts.
Really? I mean, he's a fan of the Boston Red Sox. He can still be a fan and think John Henry is chicken shit. I don't even know what this adds or what you thought it would add or what it's even trying to accomplish
100%. Maybe even include Sam Kennedy.
Make no mistake, this is a really bad look. They need to get out in front of this and give out some sort of plan or information
Security might keep them safe. What would a fan fest with 100 security guards actually accomplish?
Heckling didn't work last year. I think the same adult fans that would heckle a speaker wouldn't really differentiate that from throwing shit when they're a year more pissed off. YMMV.
Maybe, but unless something happens before the podcast what can he say that will be well received by fans?
The people who made the biggest disruption last year were a bunch of drunken shit stirrers, so mouthbreathers is colorful but accurate. I assure you they in particular had nothing to do with Henry becoming a billionaire. RR can speak for himself, but he's not fan policing here. .
Of course not, just that it seems they believe that it would provide worse optics if they did it than by calling it off.
The owner that renovated a run down ballpark.
The owners that brought (and bought) four World Series championships.
How can people be so disillusioned and still come back for more?
Because we are fans! Betts has been gone for years and the fans who were done with the team are still complaining.
Take a true stand. Back up a statement and quit being a fan.
Oh, but I'm a fan of you @Midnight Ryder Jones
Does that give me license to act any way I want toward you?
I was extrapolating to *this* year from RR's post and throwing in a bit of hyperbole.
That's fair though I disagree. (It is not hard to have more faith in humanity than I do).
It’s such a strange dynamic we’re experiencing. Usually when a club ousts an unpopular GM there’s a surge of optimism for the new guy. Just because he’s the new guy.
But here we are, nearly 3 months into Breslow’s tenure, and the negativity persists. It may even be getting stronger.
But here we are, nearly 3 months into Breslow’s tenure, and the negativity persists. It may even be getting stronger.
Probably nothing beyond general "we expect to contend this year" statements, but there would be no live audience.
Any way you want? No. But if I were the steward of a a community institution that's responsible for my personal fortune, the members of that community should be able to yell at me if I'm doing a shitty job. Accountability is generally considered a good thing.
For obvious reasons, frankly. The negativity is mainly directed toward the owners and not Breslow.
"Yelling at people" is not accountability. It's just yelling at people. And nobody should have to put up with that.
It really feels like some folks feel as if criticism of the club affects the purity of fandom. This board loves process but values results like the real world. The reality is that the Sox haven't had great results, they don't have a ton of interesting or cool players (to the casuals - not talking about YOU people) and they haven't landed a true "star" in a long time.
I get that we all love the franchise and they have a lot of potential stars coming through the system. But they don't have many brand name players and they haven't won.
These are facts - yet if you point them out, its a problem. FSG really doesn't deserve some of these people as fans but I believe they do depend on them. And they keep showing up regardless of whatever narrative is spun. Why bother with outreach?
I get that we all love the franchise and they have a lot of potential stars coming through the system. But they don't have many brand name players and they haven't won.
These are facts - yet if you point them out, its a problem. FSG really doesn't deserve some of these people as fans but I believe they do depend on them. And they keep showing up regardless of whatever narrative is spun. Why bother with outreach?
I’ll play. So you think Henry and crew should go and get shit on by the fans because it’s the fan’s right to be belligerent at a fan friendly event?
It’s in person Twitter comments.
Your first statement leaves me questioning WTF they made this announcement a week prior to the event. I mean I'm right there with you as far as last year goes, but if there isn't going to be a Town Hall event make that known well in advance.
It's a private corporation, albeit beloved by the community, as much as you might not like it.
The owners have the right to make their own decisions, as do we about supporting the team.
You do realize JWH was already mega rich before he bought the Sox? Some all world arbitrage stuff. Kind of already had a fortune. Kind of has partners that expect a return on their investment.
