Time to heal some wounds
Weekend controversy lingers
On a wet and gloomy afternoon at Fenway Park yesterday, the Red Sox went out of their way to make a pair of sunny and cheerful points. They went 1-for-2. Based on quotes that sounded convincing, they squelched a potentially divisive situation that emerged after Dustin Pedroia lashed out at his team for how it bungled payback for the hard slide that Manny Machado put on the second baseman in Baltimore.
Until and unless there are signs of lingering unease over those comments, then let’s take them for their word that they’re all cool with one another.
But when Pedroia and others professed that the entire episode is now over and will not be renewed, they weren’t as convincing.
That’s because this isn’t up to them. It’s the O’s who make that call. By the end of next week’s four-game series with the Orioles here, we should all quickly find out if the O’s feel as if justice has been served for Matt Barnes after he nearly beaned Machado with his wayward and regrettable payback pitch Sunday afternoon.
The O’s clubhouse was not feeling too charitable about that pitch and Barnes’ intent after Sunday’s game.
Zach Britton went off on Pedroia’s leadership qualifications and Chris Davis was one Oriole who believed that it was “completely obvious” Barnes’ pitch was thrown with intent at Machado’s head.
With more than a week to think about it, to cool down and consider that Barnes was handed a four-game suspension (which he will appeal), who knows how manager Buck Showalter and the players will process the weird saga that played out at Camden Yards.
Will the Orioles forgive and forget? It takes two to sign a peace treaty.
“It’s over, man — turn the page,” said Pedroia in the clubhouse after the game was rained out. “I understand we don’t play today and you guys need something to talk about, but we’re turning the page and I’m sure the Orioles are, too. We’re trying to get back to our job and doing what we do.”
Hanley Ramirez also had a broom in one hand, a corner of the rug in the other.
“No more talking about what happened in Baltimore — it’s over,” said Ramirez. “We’re ready to play baseball out there and keep winning.”
More important than the presence of a truce is dealing with the reality or perception of a split clubhouse.
That became a pressing matter after Pedroia expressed displeasure, strongly, with how the team administered payback for the slide and he professed his love for Machado the baseball player. It’s almost unheard of for a player but especially one of Pedroia’s stature to rip his own team.
By yesterday, it was clear that the Sox believe that they cleared up the matter and came to an understanding.
They were vague about the details, but not in the message. Here, the Sox spoke with more authority.
“We all talked about that — we’re going to keep that in house,” said Pedroia. “We feel good about each other. We all have each others’ backs. Everybody knows how everybody feels about each other. We’re pretty excited about the group we have.”
Barnes called Pedroia a “great teammate.”
“Everybody in this clubhouse has one another’s back, it’s a strong unit in there — I’ve got (Pedroia’s) back, he’s got mine,” said Barnes. “I’ve got 24 other guys in this clubhouse, we’re all sticking together, we’re a unit, going to war together every day.”
Manager John Farrell sounded somewhat surprised that there could have been a rift in the first place.
“No, I didn’t feel any rift that was in the clubhouse because of what transpired,” said Farrell. “Any conversation that might have been needed was had and we’re on to this series upcoming. What’s done is done. The one thing that I will say is whether we are challenged by performance, injuries, things that take place between the lines, very confident and strong that this is a team that’s got one another’s back and we handle it as a team.”
It’s starting to fade, but the Machado hard slide and Barnes’ near-beaning left an aftertaste that has yet to fade away completely.
Soon, hopefully, it’s out of sight and mind.