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Posted By: Paul

There is only one reason Francona brought in Martinez -- the curse. Every Red Sox manager is required to make at least one absolutely inexcuseable bonehead move so that the curse can live on. Grady Little leaving in an absolutely exhausted Martinez is one example. John McNamara was guilty of several in the same inning, including leaving in an ineffective Calvin Schiraldi, bringing in an always-innefective Bob Stanley, and leaving Buckner in the game, despite the fact he had been removed for defensive reasons late in every post-season game. McNamara's explanation for Buckner was that he wanted him on the field when the last out was made to celebrate the big win.

Sorry to drone on, but my point is simply that the curse has played itself out mostly through bonehead managerial moves. Last night's decision to bring in Martinez was more of the same. Francona, like McNamara and Little, was tempting fate. This time, with a seven run lead, it didn't cause the usual downfall.