Changing of the Sox

Salem Red Sox: a change behind the scenes this season

By Doug Doughty

Salem's minor-league baseball team is still an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, but off the field there’s been a big change this season.

On March 25 this year, the Salem Red Sox reached an agreement with Diamond Baseball Holdings, an organization that that is involved with a number of minor-league clubs. Red Sox general manager Allen Lawrence said he expected a smooth transition and that has been the case. “What they are doing to enhance the minor leagues through investment and technology will benefit Salem greatly," Lawrence said.

If having a Carolina League manager from Great Britain (with an appropriate accent to boot) has been new this year (Liam Carroll; see sidebar), so has Diamond Baseball Holdings, a transition from Fenway Sports

Group that lasted practically a year before it actually happened, and the acquisition was finalized.

"It's not uncommon by any means," Lawrence said. "Even before I was aware that Diamond Baseball may be looking at our team here in Salem, I was beginning to connect the dots, just seeing there was a company out there that was looking to purchase a lot of minorleague teams throughout the country.

"They were looking for teams that were owned by the major-league affiliate and they were focused on big brands. So, I'm thinking, 'Well, we're owned by a major-