On September 29th, the last final regular season game in Fenway, Joe Castiglione, the longest-tenured broadcaster in franchise history, retired. A ceremony was held to honor his dedication and contributions to the Red Sox that day. After 42 years of broadcasting a legend hung up his cap, the mayor of Boston attended Michelle Wu, Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow was there, the stands were full, and everyone came out pregame to bid farewell to one of the Red Sox greats. All except owner John Henry.
- Apr 15, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox owner John Henry at Fenway Park before a game against the Minnesota Twins. Every player is wearing number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Red Sox Owner Disapears In Cruical Moments
Joe Castiglione has radioed every game in the 22 years that John Henry has owned the Boston Red Sox. In contrast, Henry has painted himself into a corner as one of the most isolated owners in baseball. According to Bosoxinjection John Henry hasn’t spoken to the media since January 2022. Showing up late to Craig Breslow’s Chief Baseball Officer introductory press conference, slipped into the panel, and when asked a direct question from the press he simply got up and walked away.
The Red Sox owners walked slowly backward away from the press, or fast, depending on who you ask, and started in 2019 when Mookie Betts was traded. There was an incredible backlash from the Boston fanbase because the trade heavily favored the Dodgers, and Mookie loved playing for Boston; he wanted to stay a Red Sox. This was a huge betrayal to Boston in the eyes of the players and community. There was and still is a sting to the trade if you talk to fans today, years after this took place. Mookie was loved deeply by Red Sox Nation, and since that day, the fanbase turned on John Henry, and John Henry has never looked back.
What Fans Say About Hermetic Henry
Over the years, fans have ripped apart Henry for his spending, his choices or lack thereof, his inability to talk to the press, and lack of transparency. Red Sox Nation has strong feelings about their home team and most have never felt like Henry belongs as the owner. When broadcaster Catstiglone retired, backlash ensued on the character and whereabouts of Henry, most recently on the Red Sox Twitter account. These are some of the comments:
“Henry just moving on all the greats through a pugatory like endless phase of mediocrity … Joe deserved better”
“Very smart to leave this sinking ship run by woke fools”
Boston Sports Gordo goes on to say on Twitter, “John Henry not being in attendance for Joe Castiglione’s final game ceremony is insane. He’s owned the team for 22 years, and Castig has been at the mic for all of them.” This is followed up by fans commenting about how hated Henry is each passing day and taunting him for not showing up when it matters most. Boston is a tough crowd, this is a known fact we don’t have to pretend doesn’t exist, but if the presence of ownership is absent for years this cannot be ignored.
Ownership Hides In The Shadows
While multi-billionaire John Henry finds it easier to skip events than to meet the press, maybe he shouldn’t have purchased such a large responsibility. Clearly, he does not understand the repercussions of such actions in missing meaningful moments. Here’s to hoping Henry won’t continue to be the absent father we all could use a little more.
The character of a person is made up of someone’s behaviors, beliefs, and personality. It is John Henry’s behavior to not show up for the people who have helped make the Red Sox what they are. It is John Henry’s belief he doesn’t need to, and finally, it is John Henry’s personality to avoid the public eye. In the continuous grief Red Sox Nation experiences with the ongoing saga of the nefarious John Henry, they will always express their loyalty to the Boston Red Sox.
