Tom Werner fired a shot across the country on Friday.
The president of the Red Sox joined WEEI’s “Ordway, Merloni and Fauria” shortly before the Boston season opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. On the subject of Mookie Betts’ new contract with the Dodgers, Werner offered a stark reminder to people in Los Angeles celebrating the $ 365 million, 12-year extension.
“When people are partying in Los Angeles, I just want to remind them of Los Angeles because I come from Los Angeles and spend winters there, that in the past 20 years, Los Angeles has won zero World Series and the Red Sox have won four.” Werner said, as transcribed by MassLive.com. “I have nothing to complain about regarding our past. We believe we made the right choice at the time.”
Werner’s point is accurate: The Red Sox have won four titles since 2004, while the Dodgers are still looking for their first championship since 1988 despite winning seven consecutive National League West crowns and advancing to the consecutive World Series in 2017. and 2018. (Boston defeated Los Angeles in the Fall 2018 Classic.)
Werner also admitted that it was “difficult” for the Red Sox to trade Betts, a local superstar, and that Boston sent him to Los Angeles only after trying “several times” to resolve a long-term contract extension with the 2018 Player Plus Valuable in the American League.
But don’t be surprised if Werner’s blow to Los Angeles stirs some feathers on the west coast. And to be fair, the Dodgers are well positioned for future success, especially with Betts blocked during the 2032 season, so perhaps they’ll break the World Series streak soon enough.
Thumbnail photo via Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA TODAY Sports Images
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