Was umpire Terry Cooney too hasty in ejecting Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens from Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Wednesday? Maybe.
Did Clemens' display of vulgarity warrant a dismissal from one of the biggest games of his career? Maybe.
Was the entire incident the latest shroud of shame to blanket the Boston Red Sox players and organization?
Most definitely.
The boundaries that players and umpires may or may not cross have been discussed and belabored since Clemens was tossed in the second inning of the Athletics' 4-1 victory. But enough of that. Clemens' antics are akin to a spoiled child throwing a tantrum -- a pertinent analogy given the "What- Roger-wants-Roger-gets" attitude the organization has adopted. Or they could indicate more serious problems.
Reports are filtering out that the Red Sox are very worried about Clemens. He has worked himself into a lather over his obsession with beating the A's Dave Stewart, and it clearly affects him when he faces Oakland, as his performances have proven.
But maybe the Red Sox organization should look after itself as well.
Before the Rocket exploded, there were other Boston theatrics this year: Manager Joe Morgan admitting Clemens made his own decision on starting Game 4; the bullpen ripping -- many say rightfully so -- the manager for the manner it was handled; Clemens and General Manager Lou Gorman lying about the pitcher's physical condition in July and the shameful ousting of traveling secretary Jack Rogers. The latter was a case of the organization giving in to travel complaints by several players, Clemens included.
The organization did not provide on-field help down the stretch when Clemens was hurt -- Dennis Lamp and Joe Hesketh starting with the division at stake? Rather, in keeping with its character, it worried about trivial, off- field matters.
Things won't get much better. You can kiss Mike Boddicker goodbye. Possibly Tom Brunansky as well. Both can be free agents. And the team will be the laughingstock of baseball in 1992 -- next year will be its last spring training in Winter Haven and it has no plan beyond then.
These should be the best of times for Red Sox fans. Before the playoff sweep, they were treated to improbable success, complete with a final two weeks that won't soon be forgotten. And several top major league prospects are on the horizon.
One must wonder if the Red Sox are paying their NFL neighbors, the Patriots, a stipend for keeping the circus spotlight off them over the years.
The Pats have tried, but the Red Sox have persevered. In the Patriots, the Red Sox have one competitor they have found they can dominate consistently -- for shame.
For shame, indeed.
-- If Boston is How-Not-To-Run-An-Organization 101, then its conquerors are the antithesis.
Oakland goes about its business with professional aplomb. Sure it has its off-field problems, but they are minimal. Meanwhile, the on-field master plan is flawless.
While the shrewd, late-season acquisitions of Willie McGee and Harold Baines can't be minimized, the reason the Athletics are in the World Series for the third straight year is simple. Trace it directly to the farm system.
Oakland had the Rookie of the Year in 1986 (Jose Canseco), 1987 (Mark McGwire) and 1988 (Walt Weiss), and may have baseball's deepest and most productive farm system, even after surrendering five young players for Baines and McGee. The A's realize their free-agent spending prowess is curtailed because their television market does not compare with a New York or Los Angeles. But they also understand the reality of the game's marketplace. Thus, the emphasis is on developing and retaining marquee players, who are augmented by responsible use of free agency.
"Oakland is a perfect example on how you'd like to build your organization," said Expos General Manager Dave Dombrowski, who along with scouting director Gary Hughes has cultivated a fruitful farm system for Montreal. "A key, which is so important, is having confidence in the farm system. Everyone in baseball talks of having a strong farm system, but being committed to it is more important.
"It takes total commitment, sometimes a costly commitment. It takes a good type of ownership."
-- Some interesting doings in the minor leagues. Contract negotiations between Major League Baseball and the National Association of Professional Baseball, which governs the minor leagues, have resumed, but all is not well. The majors want reduced minor-league scgue teams want a bigger slice of the majors' TV package... Meanwhile, The Miracle's players were sent home from instructional league camps. Miracle President Mike Veeck still is waiting to hear an explanation from the commissioner's office... Baseball is set to go ahead with the Winter Baseball League next year. The league, which would have Bobby Bonds as commissioner, would play in eight Florida cities, possibly Pompano Beach, and would serve as an alternative to players going to the Caribbean in the offseason.
-- From all accounts, Miami, particularly H. Wayne Huizenga, wowed 'em in New York last month when the three expansion-hungry groups made their presentations, but some whispers about Joe Robbie Stadium are starting to be heard. Huizenga, who remainsa... Want another expansion sleeper? The expansion committee reportedly was very impressed with the Washington, D.C., presentation... Dombrowski, in West Palm Beach last week for the Expos' extended spring training, was excited over the performance of shortstop prospect Wilfredo Cordero. "He caught my eye very quickly. He's not far from being in the big leagues." Cordero, who turned 19 last week, hit .234 with seven homers in Double-A Jacksonville this year.