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Varitek: 'We're not playing until this is resolved'

Email|Link|Comments (8) Posted by Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff March 19, 2008 12:02 PM

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox are sitting on the bench, refusing to take the field for today's Red Sox-Blue Jays game, which was slated to begin at 12:05 p.m.

The Sox have threatened not to play this game and not travel to Japan if the team's coaches are not compensated for the trip.

Team captain Jason Varitek said, "We're not playing until this is resolved."

According to the Red Sox media relations staff, if the game does not begin by 12:30 p.m., players will instead sign autographs for fans.

The Sox have already decided to send today's slated starter, Daisuke Matsuzaka, to the minor league complex instead to get in some work. He is slated to be the team's Opening Day starter in Japan.

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8 comments so far...

jerks!

Posted by A's fan March 19, 08 12:27 PM

It'd be funny to see a team like the Royals or Pirates do something like this. My bet is that most people wouldn't even realize it happened. Then again, why would Japan care to see the Pirates or Royals play? I guess the Sox needed to drum up some drama for ratings before things get under way.

Posted by Andrew S. March 19, 08 12:27 PM

Sorry but this trip to Japan from day one has been a fiasco. Thank goodness the Patriots trip to China was cancelled last year. No disrespect to the people of Japan but the Red Sox SHOULD NOT play a game like this. It will take a month alone just to get over the jet lag. I hope the Sox DO NOT go. We pay dearly for all of our season tickets, shirts, hats, etc. Time to stop the greed. By the way there are two exibition games in Japan first. Then two "real games" with Oakland THE three Exibition games with the DOGERS in LA. Two games that count and 5 fake games
not bad $$.

Posted by tedm March 19, 08 12:29 PM

I can't tell who the culprit is here. Is it MLB or the Red Sox ownership?

Posted by Jim Loomis March 19, 08 12:30 PM

Three cheers for baseball's 2007 World Champions!!! As a "die-hard" Yankee fan, it makes me proud to cheer once more for the Red Sox!

Posted by Albert J. Sabal March 19, 08 12:31 PM

I'd like to hear what's going on with the A's staff. Were they under the impression they were going to be compensated? What are the A's players opinions on their staff not being compensated.

Posted by Sam March 19, 08 12:43 PM

NESN reporting that the Oakland Athletics are following suit, refusing to go to Japan until they recieve guarantees that the coaches and support staff get paid.
Good for them!
My faith in professional athletes to selflessly do the right thing is being restored.

Posted by Chris in Illinois March 19, 08 12:44 PM

I'd like to hear what's going on with the A's staff. Were they under the impression they were going to be compensated? What are the A's players opinions on their staff not being compensated.

Posted by Sam Pfeifle March 19, 08 12:44 PM