사임 결정 후 기자회견을 하고 있는 테리 프랭코나 감독

(보스톤 = 보스톤코리아 ) 장명술 기자 = 사상 최고의 추락이란 오명으로 플레이오프 진출에 실패한 보스톤 레드삭스 테리 프랭코나 감독이 30일 사임했다.

레드삭스 구단은 성명서를 통해 2011시즌을 결산하고 좀더 향상된 구단 방향을 논의하던 중 테리 프랭코나 감독이 "8년이 지난 후 선수들에게 영향력을 충분히 발휘하지 못한 것에 실망했으며 .이제 새로운 목소리가 필요하다” 사임을 표했다고 밝혔다.

테리 프랭코나 감독은 성명서를 통해 “나는 선수들에게 효과적으로 의사를 전달하지 못했던 무능력함에 대한 실망을 (단장에게)전달했으며 많은 대화와 숙고 후 나는 팀으로부터 충분한 존경을 받지 못하고 있다는 것을 느꼈다. 따라서 이제 그만둬야 할 때인 것 같다”고 말했다.  

프랭코나 감독은 30일 오후 기자회견에는 “나는 많은 사람들의 가슴을 아프게 했다. 이것은 바로 나의 책임이다”라고 밝히며 애써 눈물을 참았다.

레드삭스 레리 루키노 사장은 프랭코나 감독과 이날 아침 회동, 가능하면 주말동안 시간을 갖고 향후 거취를 논의키로 했으나 프랭코나 감독이 사임키로 마음을 먹은 것 같다고 기자회견장에서 밝혔다.

하지만 프랭코나 감독의 사임은 티오 엡스틴 단장이 레드삭스 구단의 향상을 위해 여러가지 구단 문화에 대한 변화를 주문한 것에 발끈해 이뤄진 것으로 보인다.

티오 엡스틴은 “우리는 구단의 문화가 좀더 향상될 수 있도록 약간 바뀌어야 할 필요성에 대해 논했다. <중략>그렇게 변화를 시킬 수 있는 적임자인지, 또 얼마간 시간을 갖고 휴식을 취하며 지난 시즌 무엇이 잘못됐는지 감독 자신을 돌아볼 것을 주문했다. <중략> 그는 결국 사임이 적합하다고 생각한 것으로 보인다”고 밝혔다.

[email protected]

For Immediate Release

September 30, 2011

 

STATEMENTS FROM THE BOSTON RED SOX

 

BOSTON—The Boston Red Sox today issued the following statements:

 

 

STATEMENT FROM JOHN HENRY, TOM WERNER AND LARRY LUCCHINO ON BEHALF OF THE BOSTON RED SOX:

 

“We met with Terry Francona, Theo Epstein and Ben Cherington Friday morning to discuss the 2011 season, ways to improve the club in the future, and Tito’s status.  During the meeting, Tito, Theo and Ben agreed that the Red Sox would benefit from an improved clubhouse culture and higher standards in several areas.  Tito said that after eight years here he was frustrated by his difficulty making an impact with the players, that a different voice was needed, and that it was time for him to move on.  After taking time to reflect on Tito’s sentiments, we agreed that it was best for the Red Sox not to exercise the option years on his contract.

 

We have enormous respect, admiration and appreciation for Tito and the job that he did for eight years, including two World Series Championship seasons and five playoff appearances.  His poise during the 2004 post-season was a key factor in the greatest comeback in baseball history, and his place in Red Sox history will never be forgotten.  We wish him only the best going forward.”

 

STATEMENT FROM THEO EPSTEIN:

 

“Tito and I didn’t know each other when he was hired eight years ago, but over time we developed not only a great working relationship but also a personal friendship that will always be important to both of us.  He proved to be an unflappable leader for our major league club, displaying consistency, calmness, hard work, thoughtfulness, a sense of humor, and faith in the players even at the most difficult of times.  Without Tito’s commitment over eight years, we would not be the organization we are today.  Nobody at the Red Sox blames Tito for what happened at the end of this season; we own that as an organization.  This year was certainly a difficult and draining one for him and for us.  Ultimately, he decided that there were certain things that needed to be done that he couldn’t do after eight years here, and that this team would benefit from hearing a new voice.  While this may be true, his next team will benefit more than it knows from hearing Tito’s voice.  I will miss seeing Tito every day in the manager’s office, and I wish him and his family nothing but the best in their next chapter.”

 

 

 

STATEMENT FROM TERRY FRANCONA:

 

“We met this morning to look back on the 2011 season and to consider the future of the Boston Red Sox, including my involvement with the club.  I passed along my frustrations at my inability to effectively reach the players.  After many conversations and much consideration, I ultimately felt that, out of respect to this team, it was time for me to move on.  I’ve always maintained that it is not only the right, but the obligation, of ownership to have the right person doing this job.  I told them that out of my enormous respect for this organization and the people in it, they may need to find a different voice to lead the team.

 

In my eight seasons as manager of the Boston Red Sox, I have developed a tremendous appreciation for Red Sox Nation.  This is a special place with some of the most knowledgeable and passionate fans in all of baseball.  They packed Fenway Park for every game and because of them, I had a special sense of pride coming to work every day.  I want to thank John, Tom, Larry and Theo for giving me the opportunity to manage this team through some of the most successful years in this franchise’s history.  I wish the entire organization and all of Red Sox Nation nothing but the very best.”

 

ⓒ 보스톤코리아(http://www.bostonkorea.com), 무단전재 및 재배포 금지