Red Sox great slams Alex Verdugo in profane social media post

Jul 9, 2020; Boston, Massachusetts, United States; Boston Red Sox center fielder Alex Verdugo (99) watches batting practice during summer practice at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Even over a half-decade after he retired, Jonathan Papelbon is still bringing the heat.

Veteran outfielder Alex Verdugo, who was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees earlier this month, made some comments this week that angered many Red Sox fans. Verdugo praised Yankees manager Aaron Boone for having his players’ backs, strongly hinting that the same was not true of Red Sox manager Alex Cora.

The former Red Sox reliever Papelbon was also among those angered by Verdugo’s comments.

“Verdugo I mean Vertigo is a B—h,” wrote Papelbon (profanity edited by LBS). “Cora has his players and teammates backs more than anyone in the game. You aired yourself out by being late, lazy and unproductive. If I played for Cora I’m drilling this b—h, just saying.”

Papelbon, a six-time All-Star, a World Series champion with Boston in 2007, and a member of the Red Sox Hall of Fame, is referencing the issues that led Verdugo to dislike Cora. Verdugo was reprimanded last season by Cora for being tardy to a game and also found himself benched by Cora on other occasions for failing to hustle on the basepaths.

Given his beef with Cora, Verdugo is probably where he belongs now as a member of the rival Yankees. But Papelbon has never been one to hold his tongue either and is letting us all know exactly what he thinks of Verdugo.