Timing is Everything For John Lackey

   Last night after the Red Sox thrilling 14th inning win against the playoff-bound Yankees, John Lackey was asked a rather routine question by Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, "How do you think you pitched?"  Lackey, who had the best pitching performance in recent Red Sox memory, chose not to discuss his performance and instead became irate with reporters about a text message he received thirty minutes prior to the game.  The text message pertained to a personal issue that the reporters had no absolutely no idea about. Lackey had this to say, "Let me tell you the truth, thirty minutes before the game I got a message on my cell phone from one of you, somebody in the media, talking about personal stuff.  I shouldn't even have to be standing up here dealing with it."  Lackey said he would get to the bottom of this and whoever was responsible for the text would have to pay.
    Come to find out TMZ was the culprit of the text message to John Lackey, asking to confirm reports of him filing for divorce on August 30.  Sorry John, but divorce papers are public records and paparazzi like TMZ feast on this type of material.  Lackey brought up this subject with the media before they had any idea of it.  For some reason he thought someone in the Boston media was responsible for the text he received.  Lackey has had a terrible season this year, and statistically speaking, he is the worst Red Sox pitcher of all time with an ERA above six.  He hasn't assumed responsibility for anything while he's been here, always scowling at somebody, whether it be his teammates in the field for not making a play, or his coach for taking him out "too early."
    Here's where the story gets complex.  Last year Lackey's wife was diagnosed with cancer and has been going through treatments, with her latest round of chemotherapy supposedly in June.  While there is never a specific time to file for divorce, you wouldn't think someone would do it while their spouse is going through cancer.
    Another bizarre part of the story is the fact that Lackey gets paid millions of dollars (than he should)to pitch for the Red Sox and it seems reasonable that he could have waited another month or so to actually file for divorce.  Public records show he filed on August 30.  It's a tough situation and nobody knows exactly what Lackey and his wife have gone through, but one would think he could at least have waited until the off-season  to officially file for divorce.  This way, if anyone like TMZ gets a hold of the issue, it wouldn't be a distraction for the him and the Red Sox.  Now it clearly is a distraction and Lackey will have to deal with it.  He has been terrible all year long and isn't playing anywhere close to the 90 million dollar contract the Red Sox gave him.  He will most certainly use this recent development as an excuse, which, depending who you are, you may agree with.  But let's hope this latest bit of news lights a fire under Lackey's ass because he and the Red Sox need it bad.  Lackey threw with anger last night and gave the Red Sox their best pitching performance in the last week.  There are three games left and we are one game up on Tampa Bay.  Hopefully with Lackey's performance last night, as well as the come from behind win against the Yanks, the Sox will gain some much needed momentum and it will translate into the playoffs.  Only time will tell.