HR 1 - Joe Mazzulla doesn't want your stinkin' awards

The WEEI Afternoons podcast opens with a fiery discussion of the Boston Red Sox's rocky start to the 2026 season, dropping their first four games, including a lopsided 8-1 loss in Houston. Hosts Andy Hart and Nick Fitzy Stevens express deep concern over the team’s offensive collapse—just four hits in the last game, with key newcomers like Caleb Durbin (0-for-14) and Wilson Contreras struggling—and a rotation that’s failing to deliver, with Ranger Suarez and Sonny Gray both underperforming. They question whether this is a temporary slump or a sign of deeper roster issues, especially given the offseason pivot from high-profile free agents to lower-cost, high-risk additions. The conversation shifts to the Celtics, where Jalen Brown’s poor performance in Atlanta—despite a near triple-double—raises red flags about his Achilles injury and health, even though he’s officially cleared. The hosts debate whether Brown is pressing or still compromised. The episode closes with a sharp critique of Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla’s refusal to acknowledge the Coach of the Year Award as meaningful, calling it 'stupid' and saying he never wants to be asked about it. While the hosts acknowledge his humility and intent to credit his staff and players, they argue the comment was awkward, potentially disrespectful to past winners, and could complicate future negotiations. The overall tone is one of cautious alarm mixed with admiration for Mazzulla’s authenticity.