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October 12, 2007
BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer
BOSTON -- Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro's best friend is Patriots' Player Personnel guru Scott Pioli. His sister, Julie, meanwhile, is married to New York Jets coach Eric Mangini.
That leaves Shapiro with some divided loyalties.
''When the Pats and Jets play,'' Shapiro said last night, ''I refrain from watching. Scott (who sat with Shapiro last night, next to the visitor's dugout) is a 15-year friend and Eric is my brother-in-law.
''But I'm an Eric Mangini fan and Scott Pioli fan first and a Pats or Jets fan second.''
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Shapiro is the son of agent Ron Shapiro, who has represented a number of star players, including Cal Ripken Jr. and the late Kirby Puckett.
Ron Shapiro also has three current players on the Indians roster -- Jake Westbrook, Joe Borowski and former Sox outfielder Trot Nixon.
In those cases, Mark Shapiro recuses himself from negotiations and lets assistant GM Chris Antonetti handle the contract talks.
''I just think it's the right thing to do,'' said Mark Shapiro. ''Why create any doubt or conflict?''
Posted by Sean McAdam 
at 8:24 PM | Permalink
