Royal Coco
In 1978, the Red Sox sold Bernie Carbo to the Cleveland Indians, a move to this day I still credit with causing the Sox to lose the pennant that year (and nobody better argue that point with me, because you're wrong.) Bill Lee freaked out, walked off the team and said something along the lines of, "I wouldn't let my dog play for Cleveland," which was a far worse team in a terrible stadium back in those days. He also credited Carbo with being the best "tenth man" in baseball. But Carbo hated Zimmer's guts and vice versa (Zimmer, one of the worst managers in Red Sox history, hated a lot of guys), and thus Carbo's fate was sealed. Off to the worst team in baseball without so much as a by-your-leave.
Coco Crisp can relate.
Now, I certainly don't think Coco was shipped off over a personality dispute, as was evidently the case with Carbo-Coco shut up, did what was asked of him and played hard for the team, all the while watching Jacoby Ellsbury take over his job even while Coco had the better season, especially at the end. Nice, huh? And for his trouble, he gets shipped off to Kansas City, who last had a winning season...when? I don't remember. I'm not even sure there's been one since the World Series in '85. In any event, I think Coco deserved to be treated better by the team AND the fans, although he never complained about it. Professionally, it's probably a good move for Coco, as he'll get to play every day and be a veteran on a team that seems like it's perpetually full of rookies.
It doesn't seem fair, especially considering Ellsbury hasn't proven himself to be a better player than Coco, just a cheaper and under-control one. But, it's a business, and as such those things matter. We all understand that life isn't fair sometimes, and that there's no crying in baseball. Here's hoping Coco can bring a little bit of that World Championship attitude to a franchise that desperately needs it.
On the upside, the Sox look like they're getting quite a good young bullpen pitcher in return, which makes you wonder why KC was willing to give him up. I'm also thinking that this is a good move for one David Ortiz, who has seen his Dominican contigent splinter away one by one, likely culminating in the jettisoning of Julio Lugo to some poor sap later on this off-season. Ortiz will likely be very happy to find another native Spanish speaker amongst the vast sea of lily whites in Red Sox-and if you don't think that matters, I suggest you read Shut Out.
