While Red Sox Nation remains irate at the idea that players would eat fast food, play video games, and drink beers in the clubhouse while their team chokes on a nine-game Wild Card lead, others realize that type of behavior is a reality in the MLB. It is disappointing to think that multimillion dollar athletes are not committed to winning, but it would be naive to think that type of activity is unique to Boston.
When asked about the bomb dropped by the Boston Globe on Wednesday morning, A.J. Pierzynski turned down the opportunity to take a shot at the Red Sox. In fact, he admitted he has done some mid-game drinking himself — and he’s a catcher.
“Yes, absolutely I have before,” Pierzynski told the Dan Patrick Show via the Chicago Tribune when asked if he has ever had a beer during a game. ”Sometimes you’re just really struggling and you just say, ‘Hey, you know what, I need something to calm me down and let’s have a beer.’ A couple of us will do it together, and sometimes it works out.
“It’s just, sometimes you just need a rally beer. If you’re in extra innings and you’re in about the 15th inning and you really need to get going again, that sometimes works for you.”
A.J. then clarified that he has only had a few sips during a game (who has a few sips?) and also admitted White Sox player took shots prior to a 2008 playoff game against the Rays. If you remember, Johnny Damon and the infamous Red Sox “Idiots” admitted to taking shots before games to warm up in 2004 just before they broke an 86-year curse.
We have heard of rally monkeys and rally towels, but never rally beers. The bottom line is drinking goes on across the big leagues in every clubhouse. It happens before games, it happens during games, and it happens after games. If it doesn’t affect a player’s on-field performance, there is really no reason to take issue with it. When drinking and playing video games on days you don’t pitch calls your overall commitment into question, something has to change.
