But recently, well, I can certainly see times the name fits. I first started having a change of heart when Francona recently allowed Timlin to pitch the 12th inning of a tie game with Papelbon rested and ready. Luckily, Timlin managed to get out of the inning. After the Sox scored three in the top of the 13th Francona finally brought in Papelbon. To recap, in a tie game where one run means an immediate loss Francona relied on Timlin. With a 3 run lead, Francona went with his best pitcher, Papelbon. It defies logic.

But hey, it worked. It’s hard to argue with scoreboard.

Then came a 6-3 loss to the Orioles in the last game of what could have easily been a four game sweep. Two non-moves by Francona made sure that didn’t happen.

1. In the top of the 8th with the bases loaded, one out, and Alex Cora at bat Francona could have pinch hit with Dustin Pedroia. It didn’t happen; Cora swung at ball four grounding into an inning ending double play leaving Boston with a slim one run lead.

   Yes, Pedroia had been struggling, but there are reasons Pedroia starts at second instead of Cora; the main one being Cora is a bad major league hitter. Maybe Pedroia strikes out, maybe he also grounds into a double play. We’ll never know because he didn’t get a chance. A better hitter sat in the dugout while a .245 hitter did what .245 hitters do; kill a rally.

2. In the bottom of the 8th, clinging to a slim one run lead thanks to Cora’s timely hitting, Francona brought in Okajima. I have confidence in Okajima, but he’s not an overpowering pitcher. If he’s off, he’s toast. He’s not Josh Beckett. He can’t give up four home runs and still strike out ten.

   After the first three hitters singled off Okajima it was clear to anyone paying attention it wasn’t his night. Yet Francona left him on the field until the Orioles had scored four to take a 6-3 lead. And that was the ballgame.

One of Francona’s strengths is his steadiness. He doesn’t panic, he has a plan, he looks at the big picture. But sometimes, when a victory is there for the taking with just a little deviation from the original blueprint (Pedroia getting the day off, Okajima pitching the 8th), it would be nice if he’d step up and pull the trigger.