John Farrell fired by Red Sox

I don’t think it is a good thing to take glee the misfortune of others.

But, Boston media was insufferable when John Farrell left the Blue Jays for his Dream Job (tm) with the Red Sox. They acted like the Jays was a minor league team and that the fact that he had a contract with the team didn’t mean anything.

And they started rumors about the relationship between Farrell and Alex Anthopoulos. I’m waiting for them to tell us that there was a ‘rift’ between Farrell and the Red Sox front office (I do see reports that is it David Price’s fault Farrell was fired, Boston media is a strange thing).

And, of course, Farrell was equally smug about leaving. I’d imagine leaving a team for another team would be like a divorce, there would likely be no way to do it well, but I also think you should try your best to not be a jerk about it. Farrell didn’t try his best not to be a jerk about it.

It was all too bad, because I liked Farrell, before he left the Jays. He’s the one Jays manager who left me interview him. He took time to consider the questions and answer them with care and treat the questions seriously. I couldn’t imagine Cito (the man he replaced) taking the time to talk to some blogger. So, Farrell earned a lot of points with me.

Farrell always seemed to be an intelligent, thoughtful, knowledgeable manager.

In Farrell’s five seasons, the Red Sox:

• Won a World Series.
• Finished last twice.
• Made the playoffs twice, losing out in the ALDS twice.

Being fair, it seems silly to blame Farrell for losing the ALDS. The Astros, to me, were the better team. As much as I’m not a fan, I don’t know that any other manager would have done better. Maybe he should have taken Chris Sale out of the deciding game quicker, but the way Sale was pitching, I can’t imagine any manager taking him out before that homer. Beyond that, he found a way to make Price a useful part of the pitching staff (after finding a way to get make him non-factor during the season).

I imagine he’ll get another job in baseball soon enough. I’d think maybe this time it will be in the front office.

It is too early in the morning to raise a glass in his honor, but I think I’ll have one tonight.