Boycott another example of why the Sox are baseball's most formidable "team"

From the highest paid superstars to the clubhouse attendant, every person in the Red Sox clubhouse is part of the team. Saying this is one thing, demonstrating it is another. Today, actions spoke louder than words throughout the Red Sox organization.

This afternoon's game against Toronto at City of Palms Park was delayed for an hour when Sox players unanimously voted to not play, and also forego the trip to Japan because coaches and staff members would not receive the stipend of $40,000 each for the visit to Japan. After learning about this yesterday, Sox players said they would not take the field this afternoon nor board the plane. They stuck to their word about the game against Toronto, which was originally scheduled for 12:05 p.m. Before they had a chance to proceed with their threat about not traveling to Japan, the matter was apparently resolved by Major League Baseball.

Multiple media reports indicate that the players thought that everyone - including coaches and staff members - would get $40,000 each.  When Terry Francona was told that was not the case by Oakland manager Bob Geren yesterday, he and his players felt that Major League Baseball had reneged on their agreement.

'When we voted to go to Japan, that was not a unanimous vote, but we did what our team wanted us to do for Major League Baseball," Mike Lowell told the media. "They promised us the moon and the stars, and then when we committed, they started pulling back. It's not just the coaches, it's the staff, the trainers, a lot of people are affected by this.

"I'm so super proud of this team. When we put it to a vote it was unanimous, we're all in agreement that we're not going to put up with this.''

He should be proud, as should every member of Red Sox Nation. This is a team that stands for integrity - on and off the field. And this is a team that, from the ownership group down to the clubhouse, conducts business the right way.

To most players on the Red Sox roster, an additional $40,000 is not monumental. However, to coaches and staff members who earn a fraction of what players - and Francona - receive, that figure is significant.

It was not disclosed how the situation was resolved, but it can be assumed that the coaches and staffers will now receive their originally promised stipend. That they will get their additional income is one matter. The support shown by the players is even more impressive. It is the point that a professional baseball team is not just composed of players, but coaches and support staff, too, and the contributions of everyone are important to the organization.

"It means as much as the money itself," Red Sox hitting coach Dave Magadan said in an interview with ESPN.

I have written many times why I believe the Sox are baseball's most formidable team. It's not solely because of the talent and depth. It is directly related to the chemistry of the team, and the makeup of the type of people who represent the Red Sox as a whole. That was demonstrated once again today.