One of those rumored ownership signings is Carl Crawford – which I am another season away before I cast a judgement. It has been alleged (based on rumor) that Theo made Adrian Gonzalez his off-season priority and ownership – sick of seeing Crawford make big plays in the field and on the base paths against the Sox – tasked Theo with signing him to make a splash.

NO ONE was criticizing the Dice K signing at the time. Nor was there any criticism when he went 33-15 over his first two seasons. The fact is, it was well publicized that ownership was gung-ho on outbidding the Yankees and every other team – as a sort of masculine display of financial might.

As for Lackey – that’s the one move that I will never understand. Ever. OK, maybe the impassioned drive to sign Lugo is one that I’ll never get either. But most every other now criticized move I can either understand why it was done at the time, or defend it.

Starting pitchers drinking in the clubhouse during games on days when they weren’t pitching, which can leave one boozily indifferent to the plight of teammates after they’ve just lost in extra innings? Originally reported in the Boston Herald, it was not only confirmed here, but with the added twist that it has been going on the past two seasons.

“Josh has some real leadership qualities, but this time he didn’t lead left, he didn’t lead right, he led wrong,” one uniformed member of the team said.

And for those that think this is a non-story:

Lucchino said after Friday’s news conference that he had a “quite low” level of awareness “until very recently” that this had been going on. His reaction when he did find out? “Surprise,” he said.

And? “Yeah, there were some other emotions, but I’d rather just leave it at that,” he said.

I also saw Victor Martinez, Cliff Lee, Ryan Madson, Matt Cain, Joe Mauer (met him his first day in AA), Milton Bradley, Marcus Thames, Randy Flores, Brian Wilson, Drew Henson, Alfonso Soriano, Nick Johnson, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer, David Aardsma, Fred Lewis, Boof Bonser, Juan Rivera – should I keep going?

Freddy Sanchez, Kevin Youkilis, Marlon Byrd, Brandon Phillips, Jimmy Rollins, Grady Sizemore, Shea Hillenbrand, AJ Pierzynski, Jason Michaels, Ty Wiggington, Brad Wilkerson, Pat Burrell, Donzell McDonald, John McDonald, David Eckstein, Bronson Arroyo, Joel Pinero, Brett Myers, Chien Ming Wang, Dioner Navarro, Mike Jacobs, Jeremy Guthrie, Brandon League, Scott Baker.

More? David Wright, Jose Reyes, Jeff Keppinger, Nate McLouth, Ryan Howard, Robinson Cano, Aaron Hill, Fausto Carmona, Jeff Karstens, Jon Lester, Shaun Marcum, Joel Zumaya, Tom Gorzelanny, Dustin Pedroia, Jose Bautista, Hanley Ramirez.

To summarize . . . I’ve watched a lot of baseball.

He is not credible IMO

huh? 2010? both world series? I mean, huh?

I think you have to include the 2009 Tigers here, too. Led their division almost the whole season, up 3 with 4 games to play, lost one to Minnesota and 2 of 3 to the Royals (while the Twins swept their final series), then lost the one-game playoff. That one had to hurt….

My experience with the AA clubs of two major league organizations is drinking alcohol in the clubhouse before or during a game – even if you weren’t playing was clearly against the rules. That’s was in the organizational code of conduct. The reason is – unlike the romanticized days of Ruth – all of these guys are investments and employees. It’s just unprofessional. And it makes a statement to other teammates that you don’t care. There’s plenty of time to drink after the game or during the offseason (which these Sox are getting all too acquainted with).

But the fact that people are riled up over the beer aspect of it is ridiculous. A beer or two is pretty harmless. Unless they were pounding them it’s probably better for them than a sugary gatorade.