A lot has happened in the sports world since my last column. While I was enjoying a few days of family vacation, the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics were all busy.
Let’s start with Jarren Duran of the Sox. On July 22, I was one paragraph away from writing a perfect column. I wrote about an experience I had while covering him in Worcester. Because of that incident and several others I never covered, I’m not a fan of him on or off the field. In his last column, I wrote about how he seemed to finally have grown up on and off the field.
“By all appearances, Duran has proven me wrong. I’m happy for him that he’s matured on and off the field because the fans deserve to enjoy his talent in the big leagues,” I wrote.
Wow, wrong again.
He has a long way to go and from my experience, I don’t think he’ll make it. The 27-year-old was suspended for two games, which wasn’t enough, for making a homophobic slur at a fan during a recent game. He has apologized and addressed the incident several times. I hope I’m wrong – again – but this won’t be the last time Duran is involved in any kind of incident.
OK, I don’t want to waste any more time on this topic.
Start the QB of the future, Drake Maye
Just let the kid play and we’ll be done with it. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye should be the starter for the Patriots. He should be the first choice.
It’s no secret that the team is rebuilding. The Patriots are at least a season or two away from potentially becoming a consistent playoff contender again, so rebuild with a player who should be your future quarterback. He showed rapid progress during training camp, something first-year coach Jerod Mayo acknowledged after the team’s 14-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday at Gillette Stadium.
The team appears to be banking on veteran Jacoby Brissett to start the regular season. The team is rebuilding, so the offensive line, which also needs help, should learn from Maye along with the entire offense. It’s a small sample size, but it seems he has the work ethic and willingness to learn exactly what the team wants from their top draft pick. Let the kid run with it and see how he develops. Some players can handle that pressure, while others buckle. Let’s see how Maye is built.
The rebuild plan became even clearer when the Patriots traded veteran linebacker Matthew Judon to the Atlanta Falcons for a third-round pick last week. Part of that deal was due to the contract extension stalemate between Judon and the Patriots, so the team decided to cut ties with one of its most popular players both on and off the field. He was part of the heart and soul of the defense, which is one of the team’s strengths.
This move is not popular with fans, but could pay off in the long run.
Bruins fans will love new TV announcer Judd Sirott
I was thrilled to hear the news that Judd Sirott was named the Bruins’ new live commentator. While I will miss Jack Edwards, who I consider a friend and whose talent, dedication and passion I have always respected, Sirott is a solid choice for NESN. He has been the Bruins’ radio voice for 98.5 The Sports Hub for the past seven seasons, working alongside analyst Bob Beers. Sirott already has good chemistry with NESN’s longtime analyst Andy Brickley, and he is excited about his new teammate.
“I grew up listening to Bruins games on the radio with the legendary commentators, so I’m thrilled to have the B’s newest standout radio voice join me in commentating the games on television,” said Brickley. “NESN viewers will really enjoy Judd’s love of the game, his knowledge and passion for the Bruins and his respect for the fans. I can’t wait to get started together.”
I met Sirott when he first interviewed for the radio job. Beers introduced Sirott to the sports reporters after a game at The Fours and he immediately hit it off with the group. He has a reporter’s mentality when it comes to his career as a game commentator and Bruins fans will no doubt appreciate his work ethic and passion. Off the ice, he is a kind-hearted person, typical of his Midwestern upbringing.
Good luck, Judd.
Getting the most out of Fenway Stadium
I spent part of my vacation hitting golf balls at the Upper Deck Golf Experience at Fenway Park. It was a great event and the Red Sox managed to make the most of the stadium while on the road.
It was a picturesque night under the lights and it was obvious that the fans attending the golf event were having a blast. The beer was flowing freely and the golf swings were interesting to say the least. Players were allowed two shots on each hole (stages and hitting mats) set up at various locations around the stands. It was a great way for fans to view the stadium while hitting golf balls onto the field. Our group was nearly hit by a ball as we left Fenway and walked down Lansdowne Street.
Over the course of my career, I have played golf, hockey, and baseball at Fenway. I have also participated in a crashed ice extreme skating event and attended several concerts. Fenway is a great venue for any event.
While enjoying a post-round drink, we talked about Fenway Park’s expiration date. The late Larry Lucchino, who oversaw the massive renovation project at Fenway Park after John Henry’s ownership group bought the club in 2002, once explained to me that the “expiration date” would occur about 30 years after the original renovation project began.
The Red Sox will need a new stadium at some point, but we can leave that discussion for another day. In the meantime, the owners are making the most of the 112-year-old stadium and the fans are really enjoying it.
Henry’s purchase of the Celtics would not be a good thing
Speaking of Henry’s team ownership, just a few weeks ago we learned that his Fenway Sports Group is seriously trying to buy the Boston Celtics. This came just a few months after the Celtics won their 18th NBA championship. It could be disastrous for the Celtics and their fans if Henry’s group acquires this historic franchise.
I have written and said this many times and still believe that one of the main reasons the Red Sox have won three of the four World Series titles under this current ownership was because of Lucchino’s passion for baseball and winning. Henry was always just about winning, while Lucchino, who was president and CEO of the Red Sox for 14 years, resigned, purchased the Pawtucket Red Sox and parted ways with Henry’s group in 2015.
If Henry ends up with the Celtics, it could damage that franchise’s future reputation in the NBA and the sports world.
