Bob McClure Fired by Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox pitching coach Bob McClure is the first casualty of Boston's dismal season.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports tweeted:

"

#redsox fire pitching coach bob mcclure

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) August 20, 2012"

The Red Sox pitching staff, especially Josh Beckett and Jon Lester, has come under fire this season for not living up to expectations.

Beckett is 5-11 with a 5.23 ERA in 127.1 innings pitched this season. The 2012 season will most likely go down as Beckett’s worst season as a big leaguer.

Lester is 7-10 with a 5.03 ERA in 154 innings pitched this season. Like with Beckett, 2012 may go down as Lester's worst professional season. Although Lester has pitched better recently, his final stats most likely will end up as the worst Red Sox fans have ever seen from him.

While the bullpen, at times, has been a lone bright spot for Boston this year, it seems as though that was not enough for McClure to hold on to his job. 

According to Joe McDonald of ESPN.com, "Red Sox assistant pitching coach Randy Niemann will serve as interim pitching coach for the remainder of the season."

Boston has been riding a roller coaster this season, and it seemed only a matter of time before the front office made some kind of statement. Firing Bobby Valentine may have been too big for the Red Sox at this point, but firing McClure is a sign that changes are on the way. 

Stay tuned, Red Sox fans, it seems the changes this team so desperately needs are coming.