Sox Fans Miss Francona, See Postseason but No Series in ‘12
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2012 INTERVIEWS: Tom Jensen 919-744-6312 IF YOU HAVE BASIC METHODOLOGICAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE E-MAIL [email protected], OR CONSULT THE FINAL PARAGRAPH OF THE PRESS RELEASE Sox fans miss Francona, see postseason but no Series in ‘12 Raleigh, N.C. – Massachusetts is no doubt Red Sox country—81% of the state’s voters claim to root for the Sox—but the turmoil that has been the club’s offseason has its fans a little pessimistic about its chances this season. 82% of Massachusetts Sox fans think they will play in October, but of the various outcomes, a 43% plurality think they will not make it past the ALCS. 20% think they will win the whole thing, 19% that they will lose to the NL representative, and 11% think there will be a repeat of last season. Fans also miss their recently departed, two-time champion skipper. 69% see Terry Francona favorably and only 7% unfavorably. New manager Bobby Valentine is also seen positively, but not nearly to the same extent. Only 6% see him negatively, but also only 44% positively, and half are still not yet sure of their opinion. Given a choice between the two, 39% would still rather Francona were in charge, despite missing the playoffs last season. 28% are glad Valentine is at the helm, and a third are not sure. One thing Valentine has already done to ingratiate the fanbase is ban alcohol in the clubhouse after the infamous chicken-and-beer incident. 72% approve of that move, and only 10% disapprove. After a stellar 2011 season, center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury is fans’ favorite of the current squad, getting 29% of the vote. Second-baseman Dustin Pedroia and designated hitter David Ortiz, who also had great years, follow at 25% and 16%, respectively, with everyone else at 6% or less. There is less question who Sox diehards see as the greatest player in their history: Ted Williams at 45%, followed by Carl Yastrzemski at 17%, Babe Ruth at 12%, and everyone else at 6% or less. Two of the franchise’s greatest pitchers ended up winning multiple championships with their bitter rival New York Yankees: Ruth and Roger Clemens. But Sox fans have very divergent views of the two. Perhaps because he was traded, rather than having left of his own accord, Ruth is still seen very positively (68-12), but Clemens very negatively (23- 56). Ruth is also a much more distant memory, and a legendary player, while Clemens is recently retired and stained by the steroid controversy. PPP surveyed 936 Massachusetts voters from March 16th to 18th. The margin of error for the survey is +/-3.2%. This poll was not paid for or authorized by any campaign or political organization. PPP surveys are conducted through automated telephone interviews. Public Policy Polling Phone: 888 621-6988 3020 Highwoods Blvd. Web: www.publicpolicypolling.com Raleigh, NC 27604 Email: [email protected] Massachusetts Survey Results Q1 Do you consider yourself to be a Boston Red Q7 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion Sox fan, or not? of Babe Ruth? Are a Red Sox fan .......................................... 81% Favorable........................................................ 68% Are not ............................................................ 19% Unfavorable .................................................... 12% Q2 (Q's 2-11 asked only of Sox fans) Do you have Not sure .......................................................... 19% a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Terry Q8 Do you think that the Red Sox should retire Francona? Wade Boggs’ number, or not? Favorable........................................................ 69% They should retire it ........................................ 35% Unfavorable .................................................... 7% They should not .............................................. 29% Not sure .......................................................... 24% Not sure .......................................................... 36% Q3 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion Q9 Given the choices of Josh Beckett, Clay of Bobby Valentine? Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, Adrian Gonzalez, Favorable........................................................ 44% Jon Lester, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, and 6% Kevin Youkilis, who is your favorite current Red Unfavorable .................................................... Sox player? Not sure .......................................................... 50% Josh Beckett ................................................... 5% Q4 Who would you rather have as manager this season: Terry Francona or Bobby Valentine? Clay Buchholz................................................. 2% 29% Terry Francona................................................ 39% Jacoby Ellsbury............................................... 2% Bobby Valentine.............................................. 28% Adrian Gonzalez ............................................. 4% Not sure .......................................................... 33% Jon Lester....................................................... Q5 Do you support or oppose Bobby Valentine’s David Ortiz...................................................... 16% decision to ban alcohol in the clubhouse? Dustin Pedroia ................................................ 25% Support ........................................................... 72% Kevin Youkilis.................................................. 6% Oppose ........................................................... 10% Someone else/Not sure .................................. 10% Not sure .......................................................... 18% Q6 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Roger Clemens? Favorable........................................................ 23% Unfavorable .................................................... 56% Not sure .......................................................... 22% March 16-18, 2012 3020 Highwoods Blvd. Survey of 936 Massachusetts voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Q10 Given the choices of Bobby Doerr, Roger Q13 Would you describe yourself as very liberal, Clemens, Joe Cronin, Carlton Fisk, Johnny somewhat liberal, moderate, somewhat Pesky, Babe Ruth, Jim Rice, Ted Williams, and conservative, or very conservative? Carl Yastrzemski, who do you think is the 11% greatest Red Sox player ever? Very liberal...................................................... Somewhat liberal ............................................ 27% Bobby Doerr.................................................... 4% Moderate......................................................... 36% Roger Clemens............................................... 2% Somewhat conservative.................................. 21% Joe Cronin ...................................................... 5% Very conservative ........................................... 5% Carlton Fisk..................................................... 6% Q14 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2. Johnny Pesky ................................................. 5% Woman ........................................................... 49% Babe Ruth....................................................... 12% Man................................................................. 51% Jim Rice.......................................................... 5% Q15 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a Republican, Ted Williams.................................................... 45% press 2. If you are an independent or identify with another party, press 3. Carl Yastrzemski ............................................. 17% Q11 What do you think the outcome of the Red Sox Democrat ........................................................ 41% season will be this year: win the World Series, Republican...................................................... 14% win the American League but not the World Series, make the playoffs but not win the Independent/Other.......................................... 45% pennant, or miss the playoffs? Q16 If you are white, press 1. If other, press 2. Sox will win the World Series.......................... 20% White .............................................................. 87% They'll win the AL but not the Series ............... 19% Other............................................................... 13% They'll make the playoffs but not win the Q17 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1. If 30 to pennant........................................................... 43% 45, press 2. If 46 to 65, press 3. If you are They'll miss the playoffs.................................. 11% older than 65, press 4. 13% Not sure .......................................................... 6% 18 to 29........................................................... Q12 Who did you vote for President in 2008? 30 to 45........................................................... 27% John McCain................................................... 32% 46 to 65........................................................... 40% Barack Obama................................................ 57% Older than 65 .................................................. 20% Someone else/Don't remember ...................... 11% March 16-18, 2012 3020 Highwoods Blvd. Survey of 936 Massachusetts voters Raleigh, NC 27604 [email protected] / 888 621-6988 Crosstabs 2008 Vote 2008 Vote John Bar ack Someone else/Don't John Bar ack Someone else/Don't Bas e McCain Obam a remember Bas e McCain Obam a remember Sox Fan? Francona