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Red Sox Owner Must Read The Room

At the start of every baseball season, most fans have one thing in mind: winning a World Series. Some of the public knows it’s an unattainable goal for their squad. Others still come into the year grasping hope. The Boston Red Sox entered 2024 with mixed feelings. Small money was spent in the off-season, a strong pitcher was traded away, and unproven talent scattered the roster. Boston has spent the last two campaigns with 78 wins and finished in last place. But that doesn’t mean that fans don’t dream. The current Red Sox ownership group needs to understand just that. The principal owner, John Henry, needs to read the room. 

John Henry Must Read The Room

After not participating in formal media availability since early 2020, The Financial Times interviewed John Henry mid-week. Henry touched on his ownership of the Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins, and English Premier League powerhouse Liverpool, along with his business practices. During the interview, he was open and stark about how the fans cheer for their teams. 

“Fans expect championships almost annually,” Henry told The Financial Times. “They easily become frustrated and will not buy into the odds: one in 20 or one in 30.”

Henry, technically, is correct. There are 30 teams in MLB, and only one can win a championship in any given year. Baseball hasn’t seen a repeat World Series winner since 2000, when the Yankees won their third straight title. There are constant changes, turmoil, and breakouts every year. But although Henry spoke his mind, this isn’t what a fan wants to hear their owner say. 

The quote almost sounds like Henry doesn’t expect his team to compete fully every season. In his long-form interview, he continually touched on financial stability and preparing for the future. Henry even said that someone in his position has a hard time being seen in a positive light.

“I don’t think people in my position can win publicly,” Henry said. “Your words are often used against you, so the less I say, I generally think the better.”

That’s fine to think if you are Henry. But if that’s your point of view, why speak at all? Henry’s recent interview did follow his line of thinking. He believes it is difficult for an owner to look strong in public. After his recent interview, he most certainly does not look positive. Henry said that sustainability is more important than a team’s current payroll. And again – that’s what many owners across various sports leagues believe. But should an owner outwardly allude to the fact that his team is not always at full throttle and that fans shouldn’t hope for the best every season? No. 

 

Owners should focus on the positives when speaking to the media. It’s pretty simple. If you focus on the positives or paint your organization in a winning light, you usually will get some good feedback. Showing that you care about your current squad and their competitive nature does the same thing. In all reality, Henry failed to do either of those things. And, although he thinks that expectations can’t always be sky high, his organization proved that they can be for over a decade. Henry can’t just forget about what happened in the past.

Boston Builds Up Expectations, Then Tears Them Down

The Red Sox’s high expectations began in 2003. For the first time in four years, Boston reached the playoffs. The team won 95 regular-season contests and made the ALCS, losing seven games to the Yankees. The Red Sox made the postseason in five of the next six years, winning two World Series and breaking a curse that had existed since 1918. That is a winning culture, one that fans buy into.

Although Boston failed to make the playoffs from 2010-2012, they returned in 2013 and won. Then, they made it for three straight seasons starting in 2016. The 2018 campaign was capped off by another World Series title, their fourth since the turn of the century. In 15 seasons, Boston won four championships. It’s difficult for a fan not to look at that and think their organization can’t compete consistently. 

 

But things began to change in 2019. Boston won 84 games and missed the postseason. The Red Sox were absent again in 2020 but made a deep run to the ALCS in 2021. That would be the last time Boston appeared in the playoffs. Both 2022 and 2023 ended with just 78 victories. The Red Sox have made it to October just once in the past five years. 

A major reason for this is the money the organization is spending and the decisions they made. In 2018, Boston had the highest payroll in baseball. That ranking has slowly decreased to its current 11th place in 2024. A franchise can not afford to slip down the payroll standings for a massive market. Unfortunately for Boston, that is exactly what has happened. The Red Sox spent under $51 million on free agents over the last off-season. That trails the Royals, Reds, Diamondbacks, Brewers, and Angels, among many other teams. To win, you need to spend. And Boston hasn’t done that. 

Where John Henry And The Red Sox Go From Here

Henry, specifically, can probably start by not talking to the media. If what he has to say aligns with what he recently stated, he is better off not making comments at all. Henry also noted that he was not interested in selling the organization. There is nothing wrong with that – but when you couple the comments and that statement, it makes fans feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Spending money and backing your organization’s history can help turn that around.

It will be difficult for Boston to create a World Series caliber team shortly. With recent spending, it doesn’t seem like the Red Sox will completely splash out on high-ranking free agents. They locked down their best player, Rafael Devers, which is a win. But they are also paying Trevor Story $22.5 million and Lucas Giolito $18 million to be injured. Boston sent $17 million with Chris Sale, who has found a career resurgence, to the Braves for Vaughn Grissom. Making good decisions nets victories in the Major Leagues. The Red Sox have failed to do that.

 

 

It’s hard to blame everything on an owner. In this case, it isn’t all his fault. General Manager decisions, injuries, and underperforming athletes have plagued the Red Sox roster for half a decade. But Boston hasn’t fielded competitive teams anyway. They haven’t put themselves in the best scenarios to succeed. Every MLB team goes through ups and downs over 20 years. But some handle those situations better than others. John Henry needs to read the room to figure out how to get back on track.

Main Photo Credits: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Goldman

Zach Goldman

Zach Goldman is a graduate of Syracuse University, where he spent four years covering the college's sports. He has an obsession for all things baseball.

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