Jonathan Papelbon: Alex Verdugo ‘drove himself out of town’
Jonathan Papelbon was quick to call out former Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo following his introductory Zoom press conference to the Yankees media in mid-December.
On Wednesday afternoon, Papelbon went on the “Foul Territory” show and talked about how the Verdugo situation didn’t sit right with him and continued to double down on his stance.
“When I came up in the big leagues, you don’t leave somewhere and just blow up everybody after you leave,” Papelbon said on Wednesday. “Man, I got a little pissed about that. And it’s not just because I played with Alex Cora, or (because) Alex Cora is a friend of mine. It has nothing to do with it. It has everything to do with the baseball gods and in the way baseball is. And I thought it was a (expletive) move. You don’t leave somewhere and then call out everybody.”
During Verdugo’s zoom post-trade press conference, Verdugo talked about his excitement to wear pinstripes and play for skipper Aaron Boone. He also spoke freely on how former manager Alex Cora failed to have players backs.
"I'm very, very excited to work with (Aaron) Boone. I've seen the way he's had his players' backs," Verdugo said. "The one that sticks out to me is when he said 'These guys are savages," and he's yelling at the umpire. That's something I want to see out of my head coach, man. I want to see some fire, some fight for the guys. I think just instead of airing people out, have their backs. I'm really excited for this fresh start and just to kind of get with the guys and really just change the narrative, man. Just go out there, play hard, work hard and just have fun."
Papelbon fired back at Verdugo on social media, calling the outfielder a “bitch.”
Cora disciplined Verdugo twice during this past season, one time for lack of hustle and the other time for being late. Papelbon spoke more about Verdugo’s tardiness and how it was a regular occurrence on game day.
“Look man, I did 30 games with NESN last year, and I’m doing pregame. And this dude would come at the same time that I showed up to the field,” Papelbon said. “In some, like, (Dodge) Charger, rev his engine up — ‘Look everybody I’m here at the park. Look at me.’ You know what I mean? You’re late. Nobody wants to play with those players. Nobody wants to play with them. And I think, unfortunately, last year in the Red Sox clubhouse, they didn’t necessarily have that guy to say, ‘Hey, Alex, quit this (expletive). We’re all in this together. And if you want to be like that you we don’t need you.’ And so I think he more or less rode himself out of town.”
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