Theo Epstein contract negotiations On October 27, 2005, Massarotti published a column in which he accused
Larry Lucchino and the Red Sox management of smearing general manager
Theo Epstein during contract negotiations. In the column, he also suggested that coverage of the negotiations at two local media outlets was compromised. He documented that
The New York Times (parent company of
The Boston Globe) owned a 17 percent ownership stake in the Red Sox and that local sports talk radio leader WEEI was currently in negotiations for Red Sox broadcast rights and paid Lucchino for a weekly radio appearance. The timing of the column was notable as it came four days after
Globe ombudsman Richard Chacón published an article in which he criticized
Times management for accepting
World Series rings from the Red Sox, and three days prior to a
Dan Shaughnessy column in which he revealed information detailing the nuances of the relationship between Epstein and Lucchino, to the favor of Lucchino. The information in the column was widely thought to have originated from Lucchino and may have contributed to Epstein breaking off negotiations and resigning his position as General Manager.
Jon Lester cancer story In August 2006, Massarotti received some criticism for publishing a column detailing rumors that Red Sox pitcher
Jon Lester was being tested for cancer. In fact, the rumors turned out to be true, and Lester went on to be treated for a rare form of
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. ==
Felger and Mazz Show==