In the past, I've given John Henry a hard time about his obsession with only conducting interviews over e-mail. My belief was, and is, that whole thing just seemed a little too calculated and controlled. Like most things associated with this ownership group, there was just something so distant and disingenuous about him only existing in cyber space.
I know he got a lot of flack for barging into the 98.5 studios that afternoon, but I loved seeing that from Henry. I wish he'd carry himself like that more often. Like a real person. With real emotions. With passion that goes beyond what can be expressed with different fonts and punctuation.
But with all that being said, Henry finally did speak today down in Fort Myers. He spokeREALLY spoketo reporters for the first time since the end of last season . . .
And it was a total let down.
Here's Henry on:
Rumors that the Sox are for sale: "The last 12 years have been the best years of my life," he said. "You just don't get an opportunity to own the Boston Red Sox, so as long as we can do it, the three of us (chairman Tom Werner and CEO Larry Lucchino) are committed to being here. These thoughts that we're somehow selling, those are just erroneous."
Liverpool: "Last year's losses on the field weren't the result of Liverpool . . . I would say that all three of us are intimately involved every day with everything that goes on in Fenway Sports Group."
Boston Red Sox
The perception that the Sox are too PR conscious: "I have to laugh. That's just laughable. It's ludicrous to say we signed any player, since we've been here, for PR purposes. I don't think anybody would assert that. And if it's asserted, it's just ludicrous."
And those are the highlights. In other words, there were no highlights. He said nothing that we haven't heard before. Nothing that sheds light on what we didn't already know. Nothing to help Sox fans feel better about the direction of the team, because who's to say if he's even telling the truth.
It probably doesn't matter. When you think about it, is there anything that Henry can say to make this situation better? Short of "It's with a heavy heart that I announce that the Red Sox have parted way with Larry Lucchino," I don't think so.
The situation is beyond words and promises.
It won't get better until the Sox make it better on the field.
Regardless of anything Henry says to reporters or fires off from keyboard.
Unless he, Larry and Tom feel like filming a line-for-line recreation this video.
That's sure to win back some support. At least from me.
Rich can be reached at rlevine@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Rich on Twitter at http:twitter.comrich_levine