A little heightened Red Sox Yankees tension.
John Lackey isn’t really one to hold back, so it comes as no surprise that he would voice his opinion on the A-rod playing while appealing suspension situation.
I’ve got a problem with it. You bet I do,” Lackey said on Thursday. “How is he still playing? He obviously did something and he’s playing. I’m not sure that’s right . . . It’s pretty evident he’s been doing stuff for a lot of years I’ve been facing him.”
Lackey said the topic comes up frequently in the Red Sox clubhouse, especially among the pitchers.
“Sure, we talk about it,” he said. “But talking to the media about it is a little bit different. People have strong feelings.
“He took me deep the first time I faced him as a rookie, and he admitted to doing stuff back then. There are a lot of things I want back from him.”
Again, as I stated when Evan Longoria expressed similar feelings, it’s a step in the right direction to see players speak out about those who’ve used PED’s, but to say A-rod shouldn’t be allowed to play while appealing is quite laughable. The right to appeal has been collectively bargained, so A-rod as of now is for all intents and purposes innocent. Don’t hate the system you helped create.
Lackey isn’t wrong in what he’s saying, but he’s pretty much talking to a wall. Should bring extra drama to a Red Sox/Yankees rivalry that has gone a little stale of late, though.
H/T: Boston Globe