MORNING BRIEFING

So Josh Beckett was “shocked” by his suspension. What I find shocking is that he feels he did nothing wrong by throwing at Bobby Abreu’s head after Abreu called timeout and was temporarily unfocused. It’s certainly not surprising that he appealed the suspension. It’s consistent with his lack of character and personal responsibility.

Meanwhile Boston Manager Terry Francona finds the league overruling the umpires “disturbing.” What I find disturbing is a manager who blindly defends his player no matter how egregious his behavior.

That is not what being a leader is about. Being a leader is, in part, about knowing the difference between right and wrong and putting that ahead of team considerations.

Ron Reeve

Glendora