The frat house that allegedly was the Boston Red Sox clubhouse last season will be no more.
Bobby Valentine is putting his foot down in his first year as Sox manager, telling players during a Saturday meeting that there will be no boozing in the clubhouse or on return flights this season.
Valentine insists prohibiting alcohol is something he’s done as manager in the past and not only in response to the team’s notorious beer-and-chicken-guzzling affair that emerged after Boston’s remarkable September collapse last year.
David Ortiz agrees with his new skipper’s decision.
“We’re not here to drink,” Ortiz said. “We’re here to play baseball. You know what I’m saying? This ain’t no bar. This is an organization, a place that needs a lot of athleticism. Alcohol has nothing to do with that. People have alcohol in their houses. If you want to drink it, drink at home.”
And by that we hope Ortiz doesn’t mean, “If playing with a mean buzz is your thing, please take care of it before you come to the ballpark.” That would be irresponsible.
