Major League Baseball

If Red Sox own Globe, then what?

Published Aug. 2, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

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What's the best way for the owner of one of most historic sports franchises in the world to get a local newspaper to like his team even more?

Well, you could be really nice to the reporters from that newspaper, toss them some scoops every now and then or maybe even invite them on your massive yacht for a booze cruise or two.

Or you could just buy the newspaper and control everything that is printed.

Boston Red Sox owner John Henry now finds himself in that exact position as he is set to purchase the Boston Globe. Holy conflict of interest, Red Sox Nation!

The news of Henry’s purchase immediately made us think of how Globe stories on the Red Sox might become a little slanted to make sure the team is portrayed in a positive light, no matter what happens on the field — or off.

So let’s take a look back at some old Globe headlines on some less-than-positive pieces about the Red Sox and give them the ol’ John Henry stamp of approval.

Before the start of this season, the Red Sox, having noticed they weren’t selling a lot of tickets to games in April, decided to cut prices on food and beer in hopes of luring fans into Friendly Fenway and continuing their sellout streak in the process.

The Globe’s headline: "Red Sox make price cuts on concessions to woo fans"

Our headline suggestion if Henry were in charge: "Hooray beer! Red Sox find generous ways to reward the luckiest fans in the world"

Back in May, Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy (never one to shy away from stirring the pot) asked David "Big Papi" Ortiz if his hot start were due to steroids. Ortiz fired back, saying he lifts a lot of weights, works hard and passes all the drug tests.

The Globe’s headline: "David Ortiz rejects talk of steroid use"

Our headline suggestion if Henry were in charge: "All natural: How our Red Sox hero makes everything look really easy"

Remember back in August 2011 when the Red Sox were on pace to win 100 games, only to suffer one of the biggest collapses in MLB history and miss out on the playoffs? Well, the Globe ran a blistering story that dived inside the final stretch of the season and exposed the fact that some pitchers were drinking beer and eating fried chicken during games. Yeah, that story didn’t help the Red Sox too much.

The Globe’s headline: "Inside the collapse"

Our headline suggestion if Henry were in charge: "Best start ever? An inside look back at the magical first 4 1/2 months of the 2011 season"

Shaughnessy also weighed in on what he called "the greatest choke in baseball history" just moments after the Red Sox were sent home for the winter in 2011.

The Globe’s headline: "Dream year ends in tatters, Sox make unwanted history'"

Our headline suggestion if Henry were in charge: "Do you believe in miracles?! Local 9 finishes hard-fought season in historic fashion"

Now, we’re not saying this type of stuff will happen, but having a team’s owner purchase a local paper might seem to be a little too cozy of a relationship. Imagine if Cowboys owner Jerry Jones bought The Dallas Morning News?

Possible headline after Cowboys lose wild-card playoff game: "Romo plays the fool once again in postseason"

Our headline suggestion if Jones were in charge: "One of the best regular-season QBs in Cowboys history looks forward to the Pro Bowl"

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