Gagne’s Struggles Continue
For whatever reason, Eric Gagne does not fit in Boston. Usually, I like to give players the chance to get acclimated to the new team, especially in a city like Boston. The pressure here is like few other places in the sports world, and so if a new guy struggles initially, I don’t lose faith in him right away. Case in point: Dustin Pedroia. At the start of this season, people were calling for Alex Cora to start over him permanently and had bascially given up on him. Now, he is in the running for Rookie of the Year. However, the situation with Eric Gagne is completely different. First of all, he is not a rookie. He has been in the leauge and has had to deal with pressure situations before (he is a closer, after all). That alone prompts me to allow less time for him to get situated in the new locker room. The main point here, though, is that the Red Sox are trying to make a run into the playoffs. Now is not the time to be testing out new guys to see if they can get over a slump or prove themselves in a new environment. The occasion for that type of patience is long gone, and I feel that now Eric Gagne should be used only in situations where it is not a save opportunity. He simply has not shown that he can pitch in Boston, and unfortunately, we do not have the luxury with our shrinking lead in the AL East to wait for him to come around. I have no doubt that he is a great pitcher with great stuff. Unforunately, he hasn’t been throwing it here. With so many other capable members of the Boston bullpen, this blown lead in Toronto tonight has to be the last straw. It is time we use the guys that got us to this point to carry us through the end of the season.
Chronicles of a Royal Rooter 
Right on, Cheryl. In my opinion, it’s time for Mike Timlin to be given the 8th inning. He’s been pitching well, has the experience, and won’t get the “deer in the headlights” look Gagne had last night even before he walked Frank Thomas. Timlin doesn’t get the Ks, but he gets the outs. Good luck to you!
Ben
Does Gagne even WANT to pitch? That’s one of my questions. With runners at first and second, Tito should have taken him out.
But Cheryl, getting back to this president thing…What are your thoughts about what you would be able to accomplish for the average fan if you were to be elected? I’d like you to address that. It’s obvious that you are a faithful, knolwedgable fan; however, I’d like to know more about what you would do as president of RSN for fans far and near.
First of all, I would make membership to Red Sox Nation free. The point of the group is to unite Red Sox fans across the country and the globe, and there should not be a fee that may deter people from joining.
Also, I would use my position as President of Red Sox Nation to voice concerns of the thousands of “average” fans like us to the Red Sox management. As a student at a business school, I understand that the Red Sox are in fact a business. However, the most important people to consider when making business decisions are the stockholders. Although all of us average fans may not directly hold stock in the Red Sox, we are an extremely important ingredient of the success of the Red Sox. We are no doubt the best fans in baseball, and therefore I believe that we have earned a chance to speak our mind and to make suggestions to Red Sox management. For example, as President, I could conduct polls regarding certain decisions (such as trades, changes to Fenway, etc.) and present the results of those polls to management so that they can take it into consideration when making decisions.
Overall, I would try to unite the entire Red Sox Nation across the world, and make the opinions and desires of those fans known to the Boston Red Sox organization.
Gagne cannot seem to handle the pressure of pitching for the Red Sox. Either that or he is on the payroll of the Yankees.
You are completely right about the pressure to play in a place like Boston. It can take time to get acclimated but unfortunately with the playoffs being so close, we don’t really have that time to spare on waiting for a pitcher to get into his groove.
Good call Cheryl..you should definitely win!
Cheryl, I just wanted to congratulate you on the success of your meet and greet speech tonight. I heard that it went quite well even without having a speech prepared. Good luck with the rest of the competition and I really like what you are trying to accomplish.
Cheryl you are the most dedicated knowledgable fan I know, you’ve known every question I’ve ever asked you about the Sox, as well as all the teams surrounding and affecting the Red Sox. I think your goals as president of RSN are practical and achievable…GOOD LUCK!
Cheryl!
Impressive blog! Hope all went well with your meet and greet.
Cheryl,
I HAVE NEVER MET A MORE DEDICATED FAN THEN YOU! GOOD LUCK :O)
xoxo
Mae
Cheryl!!!! you better get top 3 you deserve it!
I cringe everytime I see GagME, as I call him, approach the mound. Good luck Cheryl, you are the most faithful fan!
Mrs. Connors