Highlights from Dan Shaughnessy and Mike Barnicle in the Fourth Edition of the Great Polar Park Writers Series

In the fourth edition of the Great Polar Park Writers Series, Dan Shaughnessy and Mike Barnicle––two journalistic icons who have had a profound impact on the coverage of American sports and politics––fielded questions and told stories to a packed DCU Club on July 13 at Polar Park.

Born in Groton, Massachusetts, Shaughnessy attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester where he earned a degree in English and was the sports editor for the student paper. Following his graduation, he covered the Baltimore Orioles for the Baltimore Evening Sun and Washington Star from 1977-1981.

Afterwards, Shaughnessy returned to Massachusetts, where he ascended quickly as a sports columnist for the Boston Globe. Since 1989, he has covered the Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics, written 13 books, and become a highly distinguished journalist on a local and national level. Shaughnessy was honored with the J. G. Taylor Award for career excellence by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) in 2016 at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York during that year’s induction ceremonies.

A Worcester native, Barnicle is a graduate of Boston University and has been invested in the political arena for most of his career. Following his graduation, Barnicle worked as a volunteer for Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign in various states before becoming a speechwriter for John Tunney’s U.S. Senate campaign and Sen. Ed Muskie’s run in the presidential primary.

Barnicle then began contributing to the Boston Globe as a political columnist, where he was commended for giving a voice to common folk in Boston. He remained with the news outlet until he resigned in 1998.

Since leaving the Boston Globe, Barnicle has been a staple on MSNBC and participated in numerous baseball documentaries. The journalist was featured in Ken Burn’s film, Baseball in the Tenth Inning where he commented on the Red Sox breaking their 84-year title drought. His sons, Nick and Colin, will be releasing a documentary on the 2004 Red Sox before this year’s World Series.

From an afternoon full of laughter and exclusive insight, here are the highlights:

From Curse-Breaker to Commissioner?

Just as pitchers and catchers were reporting to Spring Training this past February, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced his plans to retire in 2029 when his contract expires. Manfred's decision sparked discussion of who might replace him in a position that he has held since 2015.

To many, the obvious choice is Theo Epstein. Currently a part owner and senior advisor at Fenway Sports Group, Epstein constructed the Red Sox teams that won the 2004 and 2007 World Series and helped the Chicago Cubs break their own 108-year title drought. Most recently, the former executive served as a consultant for MLB, playing a key role in the sport’s newest rule changes.

There are few people in baseball who are as accomplished as Epstein––with the Commissioner title appearing to be the next step in his already illustrious career. Shaughnessy thinks otherwise.

“I don’t think Theo Epstein wants to do it,” the writer said. “You don’t want to become a Supreme Court justice when you’re [50] years old. I think Theo wants to be an owner, and I think he will be an owner...

“Everyone thinks he should be Commissioner now, and that would be a great thing for baseball, I understand that. I just don’t think that it’s a good destination for him.”

That’s not to say the curse-breaker won’t become Commissioner down the road. Throughout his career, Epstein has spoken about executives typically having a ten-year shelf life before a new voice or change of scenery is needed. Putting his words into practice, Epstein stepped away from his positions with the Red Sox and Cubs once he reached his tenth year in both organizations.

Nonetheless Shaughnessy believes the timing isn’t right for Epstein to take this step in his career.

How Francona: The Red Sox Years Came to Be

Leading Boston to their first World Series win in 84 years, Terry “Tito” Francona was the Red Sox manager from 2004-2011, winning two championships with the club and becoming a beloved figure in Boston sports.

As Barnicle put it, “I can tell you Tito Francona was as responsible for the regeneration of interest in the Boston Red Sox as almost anyone you can think of, other than Larry Lucchino and David Ortiz.”

Nevertheless, Francona and the Red Sox parted ways at the end of the 2011 season after an abysmal 7-20 finish in September cost Boston a playoff spot. Nearly sixteen months later, Shaughnessy and Francona published Francona: The Red Sox Years––an instant bestseller that gave Red Sox and baseball fans alike an unprecedented look inside a Major League clubhouse.

Shaughnessy recounted the story of how the book came to be, which began with his literary agent encouraging him to reach out to Francona with the idea.

“I’m like, ‘Yeah, but he doesn’t like me,’” the writer said. “He told me to email him and see what he says. So, I email Tito and say, ‘Tito, sorry you got fired. Want to do a book?’ He comes back, ‘No, and not with you!’”

Shortly after, Francona changed his mind and felt a book was needed to tell the story of his Red Sox tenure. Since Shaughnessy had established a tell-it-like-it-is reputation within Boston sports media circles, he was an appealing co-author for the ex-Red Sox manager.

Remembering the reaction to the book’s release, Shaughnessy said, “It was not a party starter on Yawkey Way, as you can imagine.”

Reminiscing on Game 6 of the ‘75 World Series

Carlton Fisk got a party started on Yawkey Way back in 1975. Barnicle and Shaughnessy watched from Fenway’s seats as Fisk’s miraculous home run in Game 6 of the World Series bounced off the foul pole before falling into left field. Agreeing that it was the greatest game they had ever attended, Barnicle recounted his experience:

“Game 6 of the ‘75 World Series was stunning––it is still in my mind,” he said. “The press box was packed, so I left the press box.

“A friend of mine––the former State Treasurer of Massachusetts Bob Crane––his tickets were in the first row, right there...If it was a right-handed batter, you could reach out and touch the left-hander's batter’s box. I was right there when [Carlton] Pudge Fisk hit that home run––I can still see the arc of the ball. Is it going fair, is it going foul...BING.

“The noise of that night still sort of echoes in my brain.”

While Barnicle and Shaughnessy mentioned other favorites––such as seeing Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio taking the field at Fenway Park and David Ortiz’s heroics in the 2004 ALCS––the writers unequivocally agree that Game 6 of ‘75 is their favorite.

Other Bits and Memorable Quotes

• Barnicle detailed several interviews with Kevin Millar and Grady Little that will be featured in his sons’ upcoming three-part documentary on the 2004 Boston Red Sox. While the program does not have an official release date, it is anticipated to be available to stream on Netflix before this year’s World Series.
• Before his first game back at Fenway Park with the New York Mets in 2006, Pedro Martinez noticed his favorite reporter, Jonny Miller, was not in attendance for his press conference. Shaughnessy told the future Hall of Famer that Miller was out with an ailment, with Martinez replying, “How come you never get sick?”
• Regarding baseball’s recent rule changes, Shaughnessy said, “I think in the last 80 years of baseball, the three most important changes are Jackie Robinson, Camden Yards, and the pitch clock.”

The next segment of the Great Polar Park Writers Series will be on August 3 featuring Alex Speier, who has been the Boston Globe’s Red Sox beat reporter since 2015. In his edition of the Writers Series, Speier will discuss how the Red Sox built their 2018 World Series team from the ground up.

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