Team meetings in the world of Major League Baseball are a tricky thing.
The timing of such events is always somewhat flawed, with the message potentially being immediately wiped out thanks to a loss just a few hours later.
The 2018 Red Sox team? They never had one single team meeting the entire year. No need to take such a chance.
This season, however, such a get-together was absolutely a must. And while the next game resulted in another loss for Ron Roenicke's team, that wasn't really the point. In this weird world of 2020 baseball, there were things that needed to be surfaced.
"Well, anytime you grab the team together and if guys are speaking what’s on their mind I think it’s good just to get them together to do that," said the Red Sox manager of the players-only meeting in New York. "But sometimes right away it comes out where it really makes a difference. I’d say most of the time it probably doesn't. Most of the time it’s something clicks in the game that gives them energy and gives them a different feeling that you’re not just losing, you’re out there and get a break and win a game and then all of a sudden things click a little more. So I think anytime you get together and talk, I think that’s all good."
Pillar then expanded on the content of the meeting.
"Especially for us, I believe, with the configurations we have in Fenway, not having the locker room dynamic, it’s been extremely difficult to get on the same page with a lot of people," he said. "Normally you would have your locker room dynamic, win, loss, whatever, you talk to guys in the locker room, you pick up guys if they had a bad game, you encourage guys who went out there and did some things that might go unnoticed, then you get on the road and you’re sharing buses, you’re sharing plane, you get a chance to walk around, sit next to guys, play cards, hang out with guys, really get to know guys. It’s been a challenge and we just, like I mentioned, we just need to find ways to stay together and find ways to make this fun. It’s definitely unique, it’s hard and it’s even worse when you’re not playing really well, you start to think about all the external factors.
"We, first-hand, just got to witness a couple of teams that are obviously playing well and have beat us but you look across the dugout and the guys seem excited, they’re pumped up, they’re high fiving and they’re making it as normal as possible and I think that was the message we were trying to get across was let’s make this as normal as possible. Stop feeling bad for ourselves because we have to wear masks. These are just things that have to be done. It’s 2020, get over it, and let’s go out and play and try to have fun with it."
There were a few things that should jump out when listening to the outfielder's account of the event:
- There is definitely a feeling among this team of isolation, and in their minds, it exists maybe more than most clubs. Pillar pointing to the dynamic of the two-by-two-by-two suites at Fenway Park serving as the team's clubhouse was noteworthy. Once universally praised for the innovative use of the facility, now it is being identified as a separator.
- It's good to hear a player surface something that few were talking about. The lack of enthusiasm emanating from the Red Sox' dugout compared to their opponents. Much of the malaise stems from losing a lot, sure. But when you juxtapose the images coming from Roenicke's dugout to many of the other teams, it certainly gives the impression of one team not nearly excited about playing baseball than the other. Perhaps it's the lack of a crowd. Maybe it's simply the low-key personality of many of the Red Sox regulars. Then there is the uneasiness that comes with having so many newcomers who haven't had the chance to feel like part of the gang. Whatever the case, it is a very real dynamic.
- It appeared early on in Spring Training 2.0 the Red Sox had gotten past that one-foot-in, one-foot-out feeling heading into the season. But evidently it is a vibe that has returned. As Pillar said, "Not getting caught up in what's happening across the league as far as COVID is concerned, if it's going to get shut down, or when it's going to shut down." The players have to get their heads around exactly what was pointed out: This season is going to happen whether they like it or not.
- No more excuses. Video. Injuries. Tests. No fans. Masks. No matter. "It’s 2020, get over it, and let’s go out and play and try to have fun with it." Well said.