Yet another Boston Red Sox player has spoken out against Alex Rodriguez and performance-enhancing drugs. Starting pitcher John Lackey is of the belief that if a suspension has been handed down, the Yankees third baseman should not be on the field, according to The Boston Globe.
“I’ve got a problem with it. You bet I do,” Lackey told the Globe 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 pointed out the times he’s faced A-Rod haven’t exactly been fair.
“He took me deep the first time I faced him as a rookie, and he admitted to doing stuff back then,” said the 10-year veteran. “There are a lot of things I want back from him.”
Lackey added the subject comes up between Red Sox teammates.
“Sure, we talk about it,” he said. “But talking to the media about it is a little bit different. People have strong feelings.
Earlier this summer Lackey’s teammate, outfielder Jonny Gomes, uttered sentiments similar to those of the starting pitcher.
According to MassLive.com, Gomes said in July he didn’t think Rodriguez’s ability to play after the suspension was right.
"I can imagine being the pitcher, just knowing this guy is on or has done steroids. That's not, that's not an equal battle right there," he said. “I don't know how that would really work out. Good thing I don't pitch. It doesn't make much sense that he's still playing."
Gomes believes his contributions to the Players Associations should not assist in Rodriguez’s defense.
“Because we do pay dues that go to our union that pay for our union guys to battle for our insurance and our pension and travel around and make sure we're doing OK,” he said. “That's where our dues go. So I hope our dues don't go to his lawyer fees by any means. I don't know — I think there's still so much info we don't know about all that."
Not everyone on the Red Sox feels the same as Lackey and Gomes.
Manager John Farrell understands “A-Rod” is using the rights afforded to him.
"I have no idea what went on in the negotiations. It sounded like every player that was in that initial group or the most recent group (of suspensions) went through an initial discussion or process,” the manager said. “Probably each had the right to appeal and he's chosen that. I understand what you're getting at here, but he being on the field is out of our hands. Until completely proven guilty this is what we're dealing with."
The Yankees will begin a three-game series with Boston beginning tonight at 7:10 p.m. ET.
