BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 15: Red Sox Owner John Henry looks on during a press conference addressing the departure of Alex Cora as manager of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on January 15, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. A MLB investigation concluded that Cora was involved in the Houston Astros sign stealing operation in 2017 while he was the bench coach. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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The Boston Red Sox have endured one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent franchise history, going from a disastrous start that cost Alex Cora his job to one of the most impressive winning stretches in franchise history. What once looked like a lost season has now turned into a likely postseason run.
Heading into their recent series against the arch rival New York Yankees, the team could take stock of just how far it had come since it last faced the Yankees in June.
“Since the start of that last series against the Yankees, the Red Sox have gone a remarkable 41-14, vaulting themselves from 14 games below .500 to 13 games above .500,” Jen McCaffrey wrote for The Athletic. “They’ve have done all of that winning without AL Cy Young Award runner up Garrett Crochet (shoulder inflammation) and without outfielder Roman Anthony (torn finger ligament) or shortstop Trevor Story (sports hernia).”
That kind of season has naturally put additional attention on the people running the organization, including owner John Henry. And while it’s hard to say what exactly the 76-year-old’s involvement is like behind the scenes, his presence around the team has become much more conspicuous during this season.
Boston Red Sox Owner John Henry Is Suddenly Everywhere Around The Team
Henry has typically been seen as an absentee owner, preferring to stay out of sight and almost never offering public comment on Red Sox operations. But that has seemed to change as the Red Sox have struggled and surged this year.
“In years past, it felt like months went by without a Henry sighting at Fenway Park. Now? It’s a common occurrence,” Chris Cotillo noted for MassLive. “All season, the 76-year-old has been a frequent presence on the field before games and has been shown, quite often, during broadcasts in his suite.”
While Red Sox brass have said that Henry’s role around the team hasn’t changed, it seems he is conscious of opportunities to appear on live game broadcasts more often.
Cotillo added that some within the organization believe at least some of Henry’s appearances have been planned to highlight his involvement with the club. Henry’s Fenway Sports Group owns an 80% stake in the NESN network, giving the organization an obvious connection to its coverage of games and Henry another potential avenue to appear on television.
Boston Red Sox Owner’s Change Increased Visibility Raises Questions
Cotillo also reported that sources said NESN’s crew was instructed to show Henry during at least one game this season so that he would be seen on the broadcast, raising questions about how much of a perceived increase in public appearances around the team might be intentional.
Henry’s more visible role could be motivated by any number of calculations, but with the Red Sox looking forward to a postseason bid this year, fans can probably count on seeing more of the owner.
“As the Red Sox finish one of the most eventful seasons in recent history — one that will likely end with a postseason berth — expect Henry to be seen a lot,” Cotillo added.