Bob Hohler came back to sports writing to provide Red Sox fans with fuel to fan their angry flames for the entire off-season in today’s Boston Globe.
The highlights of what the Globe is calling their “blockbuster” story:
* Â Terry Francona’s deteriorating marriage and reliance on painkillers put him at a disadvantage with many of his players who used the opportunity to slack off
*  Josh Beckett, John Lackey and Jon Lester not only drank, but ordered in take-out chicken and sat playing video games DURING games they weren’t pitching in, creating an unsupportive pitcher’s clique and ignoring strength and conditioning coach Dave Page’s requests for them to pick up their exercise regimens
* Â The front office had no idea of how damaged the team had become until after the season had ended.
Aside from bringing up Francona’s personal issues, there’s nothing in the piece that Red Sox fans haven’t already read in bits and pieces since September, there are just specific names to go with the complaints about the players.
Instead of a blockbuster, all the Globe has accomplished is smearing the name of a man who didn’t deserve it and indulging those who enjoy athletes getting town down. Â The troubles of the Red Sox will bring the Boston Globe much joy and many readers this winter.
(Originally published on Examiner.com)