John Henry: Fan expectations are unrealistic

[sb1]

In rare interview, John Henry says Red Sox fans have unrealistic expectations

John Henry spoke about the Red Sox in an interview with The Financial Times ... and said fans' expectations for winning every year are unrealistic.

www.masslive.com

So he basically calls the Sox just an asset in his portfolio.

At least he said the quiet part out loud… that tells you all you need to know. #SellTheTeam

 

[sb1]

He’s talking like his team is the Oakland A’s lol.

I’d say the odds are way south of 1 in 30 when he won’t spend and we’re watching the team finish close to the bottom of the division with AAAA guys playing out the string in September

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Unrealistic?? " You're not from around here, are you?" He needs a history lesson of the Celtics of the 60s or 80s or 20 years of Brady where those teams were competing every single year for the brass ring.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Hes become Jeremy Jacobs circa 1993

 

[TomPatriot]

He’s talking like his team is the Oakland A’s lol.

I’d say the odds are way south of 1 in 30 when he won’t spend and we’re watching the team finish close to the bottom of the division with AAAA guys playing out the string in September

September? Maybe July.

 

[maust]

Hes become Jeremy Jacobs circa 1993

I spent decades despising Jacobs for being the miserly **** he is. That said, at least he was honest about it and never pretended his ownership was about anything more than the bottom line. Since the NHL established its cap with Jacobs leading the way on the effort to save the owners from themselves and provide cost certainty, the Bruins have spent to it every year. Neely and Sweeney have been provided every resource to field a competitive team.

Contrast that with Henry. Under his ownership we hear a lot about 'stewardship' and 'preserving the jewel' and 'sustainability' but what we see is a team that finished in last place 4 of the past 5 years and beloved stars sent packing for contracts whose cost this team can easily absorb. Meanwhile the Sox have the highest fan cost index in MLB year after year. Cora is one of the half dozen best managers in the game, not only is he managing on a lame duck contract but it's clear he's being set up to take the fall for yet another unwatchable crapfest of a season

Whatever else his sins no one can say Kraft doesn't want to win. He and Wyc Grusbeck are very invested personally in their teams and the New England community. They're widely viewed as being among the best owners in their respective sports. Since he achieved his 'cost certainty' Jacobs has been as good as his word, his team lacks for nothing an owner can possibly provide. Henry on the other hand doesn't give a rat's ass. He's gonna pull on the teat of the Sox cash cow until ol' Bessie is so dessicated she produces nothing but powder. Then he'll back up the money truck to contend and start the whole process again. It's a just a big time hustle, rinse (the fans) and repeat. Here in Boston we've learned there are worse things than an indifferent owner, there's the dissembling cynical Henry type.

 

[borisman]

He’s talking like his team is the Oakland A’s lol.

I’d say the odds are way south of 1 in 30 when he won’t spend and we’re watching the team finish close to the bottom of the division with AAAA guys playing out the string in September

Current odds are 130:1 to win World Series. He has no passion for this team. He's not Wyc. I mothballed my Sox gear until the team is sold, which isn't happening. I'm glad a lot of the real fans stopped going to the games. I knew Henry gave up on the Sox back in 2020. It's when I gave up myself.

 

[captain stone]

To paraphrase an old NY Daily News headline circa 1975: Henry to Sox fans - Drop Dead.

 

[Steve102]

Well, from my seat, John Henry has unreasonable expectations of what I will spend my money on.

 

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

The Sox are a distant 4th for relevance in Boston right now, and the soccer team is closing the gap.

Wake me up when the team is sold.

 

[maust]

Well, from my seat, John Henry has unreasonable expectations of what I will spend my money on.

Amen. This is the first year we didn't keep NESN, cancelled it after their last Bruins broadcast. The bride loves the Sox, it took some convincing to help her see that as fans we're part of the problem if we keep paying them for screwing us. No Sox tickets for summer bday presents or Father's Day this year either, another first for us. We aren't alone, we have friends and family that have drawn the line as well. The only message the fans can send this ownership that they might hear is empty seats and cancelled subscriptions. Sadly given his comments it's going to take an awful lot of other folks doing the same before Henry and Co take any notice.

 

[AQPE]

Weird dude saying obtuse things. As long as he employs Sam Kennedy as team President, it is not necessary to explain that the Sox are no longer interested in entertaining the actual fans. They think of us as racist and brainless and are not subtle about it.

 

[jimnance]

In rare interview, John Henry says Red Sox fans have unrealistic expectations

John Henry spoke about the Red Sox in an interview with The Financial Times ... and said fans' expectations for winning every year are unrealistic.

www.masslive.com

So he basically calls the Sox just an asset in his portfolio.

At least he said the quiet part out loud… that tells you all you need to know. #SellTheTeam

F him

 

[maust]

F him

...as well as the horse he road in on.

 

[jimnance]

...as well as the horse he road in on.

It's dead.
And he likes to beat it.

 

[Steve102]

Amen. This is the first year we didn't keep NESN, cancelled it after their last Bruins broadcast. The bride loves the Sox, it took some convincing to help her see that as fans we're part of the problem if we keep paying them for screwing us. No Sox tickets for summer bday presents or Father's Day this year either, another first for us. We aren't alone, we have friends and family that have drawn the line as well. The only message the fans can send this ownership that they might hear is empty seats and cancelled subscriptions. Sadly given his comments it's going to take an awful lot of other folks doing the same before Henry and Co take any notice.

He got this part right:

“I don’t think people in my position can win publicly -- your words are often used against you -- so the less I say I generally think the better,” he told Germano.

Every time he opens his mouth, he says the wrong ****.

It's heartbreaking, really. He took a lifelong fanbase and told them they didn't know ****, and they should just be thankful he's here, the magnanimous eff that he is. Alienated them. You'd think that he would learn that the fans are smarter than he gives us credit. I for one don't need them to win the WS every year, but they need to be competitive. 13 games out at the beginning of June is not competitive. At least when Kraft fields a **** team, he says "we suck, we gotta do better". Henry et al try to spin it.

If the S.O.B. told the truth to us, he'd be thought of very highly. Saved Fenway, ended the curse. Instead, he refuses to pay market value on his stars, tells the fans he can't afford it, and runs the team like it's the eff'n Royals.

He's not getting dime one from me.

 

[PP2]

In rare interview, John Henry says Red Sox fans have unrealistic expectations

John Henry spoke about the Red Sox in an interview with The Financial Times ... and said fans' expectations for winning every year are unrealistic.

www.masslive.com

So he basically calls the Sox just an asset in his portfolio.

At least he said the quiet part out loud… that tells you all you need to know. #SellTheTeam

From that I can easily deduce that his portfolio is mediocre; he's probably moved from aggressive growth to risk management and will only cut an asset loose if it starts bleeding red.

In other words, he, himself has become mediocre and complacent.

 

[denverpatsfan]

It's easier to win a Championship in baseball than you think. Look at the Florida Marlins. They won twice. Marlins were founded in 1993 or so. Won twice in the first 10-years. If the owners give a **** and focus on the team rather than just printing money it can be done.

Henry is now operating the team like the Monforts run the Rockies. Make money. Have a couple good players. Have a nice ballpark that attracts visitors. Don't care about competing for a Championship.

Sucks to watch the Phillies and Yankees absolutely crushing it but that's where we are right now.

 

[NFL Mystique]

It's odd because his team has won more titles (4) than the Celtics/Bruins under his guidance. Yet, he is the most despised.

Haven't seen the fan base this disinterested in years.

 

[NFL Mystique]

The Sox are a distant 4th for relevance in Boston right now, and the soccer team is closing the gap.

Wake me up when the team is sold.

Who would have thunk it.

There was a time where they were more popular than the Patriots. Even after NE won the first two titles.