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Boston Red Sox columnist Dan Shaughnessy has stupid take on team struggles

By David Hill

BOSTON, MA - MAY 3: A new sign for Jersey Street, formerly Yawkey Way, is pictured outside of Fenway Park in Boston on May 3, 2018. The green and white street signs that carried the last name of the former owner of the Boston Red Sox, Tom Yawkey, have been removed by city work crews. In their stead, the city has installed signs reading Jersey Street, the original name of the street adjacent to the Red Soxs home field, Fenway Park.The switch came as the result of a vote last month by the Boston Public Improvement Commission at the request of the current Red Sox organization, led by principal owner John Henry. The request triggered a debate about Yawkeys legacy as Red Sox owner, philanthropist, and, some say, racist, who oversaw what was once the most segregated franchise in baseball. (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 3: A new sign for Jersey Street, formerly Yawkey Way, is pictured outside of Fenway Park in Boston on May 3, 2018. The green and white street signs that carried the last name of the former owner of the Boston Red Sox, Tom Yawkey, have been removed by city work crews. In their stead, the city has installed signs reading Jersey Street, the original name of the street adjacent to the Red Soxs home field, Fenway Park.The switch came as the result of a vote last month by the Boston Public Improvement Commission at the request of the current Red Sox organization, led by principal owner John Henry. The request triggered a debate about Yawkeys legacy as Red Sox owner, philanthropist, and, some say, racist, who oversaw what was once the most segregated franchise in baseball. (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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Why are the Boston Red Sox struggling as of late? According to Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy, a stance against a history of racism is the problem.

Heading into Friday, things were not looking up for the Boston Red Sox. They had lost four of their past seven games, with their division lead over the hated New York Yankees cut to just a single game. Mookie Betts has been white hot with the bat, but the Red Sox pitching has been disastrous, allowing 47 runs in their last seven outings.

Understandably, the Red Sox and their assembled media are looking for an answer as to their recent troubles. Some of these ideas may well prove to be useful. Then, there are other theories, such as the one posted on Twitter by Boston Red Sox columnist Dan Shaughnessy, that are so incomprehensibly ridiculous that they have to be seen to be believed.

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What, exactly, are you “just sayin'” there Dano? That the Red Sox won/loss record is somehow tied into their acknowledgement of the racist past of Tom Yawkey? That honoring someone who may well be the equal of Cap Anson in his racism is important? Making sure that a street remains named after someone who refused to integrate the team until 1959 is far more important than making sure that the past is looked upon correctly? That Yawkey is somehow worthy of admiration?

Maybe, just maybe, if Yawkey had not been such an unapologetic racist, then the Red Sox would have had more success. After all, they did have Jackie Robinson, Sam Jethroe, and Marvin Williams in for a tryout in 1945. Despite their obvious talent, Boston sent them on their way without a contract offer. Maybe the “Curse of the Bambino” would have been lain to rest decades before it ended in 2004.

So, yes, let us blame the recent troubles of the Red Sox on the decision to take down a tribute to Yawkey. The Red Sox are obviously unable to take this slight against their former owner, who selflessly put the best interests of the team and the game ahead of his prejudices. he did so much to further the expansion of the game to everyone, showing that Major League Baseball was truly inclusive. How dare they do such a thing? The impending Yawkey Curse will be fearsome, as his spectre will be insatiable in its quest for revenge.

Next: Red Sox, Boston rename Yawkey Way

The Boston Red Sox have not played up to their expectations lately. But to somehow equate that performance to making sure that a known racist is no longer honored outside Fenway Park is asinine, even for a Yawkey apologist like Dan Shaughnessy.

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