Last season it was fried chicken and beer.
Now, there’s uproar over Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett allegedly taking in some golf on his off day, despite having to skip a start last week because of stiffness.
The Red Sox are now hoping that Beckett, who is scheduled to start Thursday night against the Cleveland Indians, will have a strong performance after fighting through a sore lat.
But the whole alleged golf outing with fellow pitcher Clay Buchholz last Thursday doesn’t seem to have manager Bobby Valentine overly concerned.
“I’ve never seen a pitcher get hurt playing golf,” the Red Sox manager was quoted as saying.
He said he talked to Beckett and reported that the power pitcher is “ready to go.”
The Red Sox record this season (12-18) may be partly to blame for some Red Sox fans being up in arms over Beckett’s little golf experience last week.
Valentine reportedly said he understands why some fans are voicing their displeasure with Beckett and the club.
Red Sox fans are probably still reeling from their favorite team’s epic collapse last September, which caused Boston to miss out on postseason baseball.
The Red Sox are currently in last place in the American League East and trail the first place Tampa Bay Rays by 7.5 games going into Thursday’s matchup with the Indians.
The ballclub has gone 2-8 in its last 10 games.
-With Associated Press
