My mother, Diane Lazarczyk, thinks the Boston Red Sox could be fighting another curse. The Curse of the Bambino’s Bambino.

Evidently, Babe Ruth’s granddaughter, Linda Ruth Tosetti, was not invited when the Boston Red Sox celebrated Fenway Park’s 100th birthday.

“I’m sad because I would have liked my grandfather represented,” said Tosetti to the Boston Herald. “He was an important part that people in Boston fail to embrace, and it’s because of that damn curse.”

The Red Sox did apologize, but perhaps the damage was done. Perhaps the unintended snub woke up ghosts that are not to be trifled with.

More likely, it’s an unhappy coincidence. The only curse the Red Sox should be concerned with right now is if Josh Beckett is cursed to pitch like a toad and act like he doesn’t give a fig for all eternity.

Mom doesn’t believe in a new curse, at least I don’t think so. She watches enough games and follows the Red Sox closely enough to realize the team’s problems are on the field and in the clubhouse, and cannot be solved with a Ouija Board and a seance.

Since it’s Mother’s Day, I’m putting her in charge of the Red Sox for a day. She and my father go to 10 or so Red Sox games each season. They were at Fenway Park a few weeks ago when the Sox coughed up that nine run lead in the final innings and lost to the New York Yankees, 15-9. It was 12-9 when they decided to head back to the Green Line.

“You know, you should send me this stuff a week in advance,” she said.

No way. You’re in General Manager Ben Cherrington’s big corner office now, Mom. (Does Cherrington even have a big corner office? For the sake of this, let’s assume he does). You have to think quickly. So, Mom, what do you try and fix first?

“I guess the biggest problem is pitching or attitude,” she said. “I would let Bobby Valentine manage the way he came advertised.”

That is, crack skulls.

“I don’t think they’re letting him do his job. He needs to be in more control. Either that or he has dementia,” she said.

Fixing this horrible pitching staff is easier said than done, however.

“Other than get rid of them, what can (the Red Sox) do?” Mom said. “Beckett’s been the biggest (screw-up), but I’m not sure you expected him to be anything else.”

Mom said it’s probably too soon to call up younger players like Jose Iglesias and Ryan Lavarnway. As for fixing the pitching, she said maybe Daisuke Matsuzaka can provide a spark when he returns from Tommy John surgery.

“Remember when we wanted to get rid of him last year?” Mom said.

Mom wouldn’t make a great Red Sox general manager, because honestly, her expectations weren’t too high in the first place.

“You can’t really be disappointed in these guys. I mean, did you expect (Alfredo) Aceves to be a great closer? He’s got six saves?” Mom said.

Can this team turn it around and make late summer enjoyable for Red Sox Nation?

“I don’t think they’ll make a run to the playoffs, but they certainly can be better,” Mom said.

Thanks Mom, and Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. You’re all general managers, really. May all your moves be the right ones.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com