5 Years Ago Yesterday – When A-Rod Meet Vari
At least once a year, in Yankeeland, we’re going to have to hear about July 24, 2004. Last year, it was Gabe Kapler. It’s the gift that Alex Rodriguez gave Red Sox fans that just keeps giving…
Now, at his blog, Curt Schilling prattles on about it (h/t to BBTF). Here’s a few snips:
What was the perception of A-Rod in the Sox clubhouse at that time?
Probably as disliked as anyone in the game. Profound respect for the on the field talent, but there was so much weird [expletive] that always was present. We always looked at him as someone forcing himself to look comfortable when he clearly wasn’t. It was weird. There was almost pity in that we watched the immense effort he would put out to make himself appear like ‘one of the guys’. We had a bunch of guys that knew him, and some that had played with him, so we knew the guy.
What was the scouting report on A-Rod in ‘04? How were you guys trying to pitch him in that series?
His major weakness is the strike outs. That many K’s always meant there were holes. There was no one way to pitch him, but you knew and know he was a HUGE guesser then. You could watch his K’s and know that.
Was Bronson trying to hit A-Rod?
Stupidest thing ever, no chance. Look at the score, count, situation, no chance.
Was it fair game for A-Rod to yell at Bronson?
Fair had nothing to do with it. The guy was SCREAMING for a situation to ingratiate himself there, and it presented itself, sort of. The yelling BS though, that was funny. The only thing between a hitter and the mound is air and opportunity, he had both….
What role did Jason Varitek play in escalating the situation? You’re probably aware of the legend — myth? real? — that Jason said something along the lines of, “We don’t hit .270 hitters on purpose…” Any truth to that? Was Jason simply looking to help a teammate, or was he looking to spark the team?
No. Jason told him to shut up, and go to first. Then the exchange of F bombs, then the Wilson sandwich.
What are the details of the brawl that you remember from inside of it? Nothing remarkable, a lot of shit talking, nothing more. What are the details that you learned while re-watching it? Anything – whether the Sturtze/Kapler, Sturtze/Ortiz/Nixon, anything – that was particularly insane?
That was the minute we realized Sturtze was a 6-foot-8 inch puss. The sucker BS and all that, no place for it. We were all wishing some how, some way, Trot would have had a cleaner, clearer shot. That would have been worthy of some sort of cage fighting highlight. We also went nuts when we saw Jonesy (first-base coach Lynn Jones, who tried to pull David Ortiz out of the scrum with Sturtze) grabbing our players. You never grab your own guys in a brawl.
How, if at all, was the dugout/clubhouse a different place after you guys returned to it? Do you see blood on guys? How would you describe the adrenaline of the situation?
Huge adrenalin surge on our end, then the normal scenes, everyone running back to the clubhouse to check out the video and see who did what, who said what, who kicked who’s ass and any sucker punches.
The obvious disclaimers: you guys went 3-3, then 5-5 after the brawl game, and there was a little trade about a week later. That said…what was the role of this game in what happened over the rest of 2004? Do you guys get to the playoffs without it? Are you able to come back in the ALCS without it? What was the significance of that game?
I think it had bigger implications in October than the regular season. I look at that team as one that would have made the playoffs anyway, but that’s now, I can’t remember it then, but I do know I heard more than once in October that game, being referenced.
…[A-Rod] was SCREAMING for a situation to ingratiate himself there, and it presented itself, sort of. The yelling BS though, that was funny. The only thing between a hitter and the mound is air and opportunity, he had both….
Ouch. But, that ties back to what I heard back in 2006. So, it’s not all that shocking, either…
