When Ben Cherington decided Tuesday to make what he termed “a clean break” from the only team he has worked for since 1999, the Red Sox lost their general manager.
And Hanley Ramirez lost his benefactor.
As much as any player on the roster inherited by new president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, Ramirez is Cherington’s guy. When Cherington was the Sox’ farm director a decade ago, Ramirez was his first superstar prospect. And it was Cherington who believed so strongly in Ramirez’ ability to play left field when the Sox signed him to a four-year, $88 million contract last November and supported him unequivocally even as he has rated as the majors’ worst defender at any position.