Lackey On A-Rod: 'How Is He Still Playing?'
BOSTON (CBS) - John Lackey is scheduled to pitch against the New York Yankees on Saturday, but the Red Sox starter doesn't think he should have to face slugger Alex Rodriguez.
Lackey is the latest of many major leaguers to voice their displeasure against Rodriguez being allowed to play while he appeals his 211-game suspension from the Biogenisis scandal.
"I've got a problem with it. You bet I do," Lackey told the Boston Globe. "How is he still playing? He obviously did something and he's playing. I'm not sure that's right. … It's pretty evident he's been doing stuff for a lot of years I've been facing him."
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"He took me deep the first time I faced him as a rookie, and he admitted to doing stuff back then," Lackey said in reference to Rodriguez's admission to using PEDs while playing for the Texas Rangers from 2001-03. "There are a lot of things I want back from him."
Lackey isn't the only member of the Red Sox to speak out against A-Rod. Outfielder Jonny Gomes said "it doesn't make sense" that Rodriguez is allowed to play shortly after the suspension was handed down.
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Lackey told the Globe this has been a topic of discussion in the Boston clubhouse.
"Sure, we talk about it," Lackey said. "But talking to the media about it is a little bit different."
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"We're tired of hearing about it," Lackey said of PED scandals rocking the sport. "We want it to be about baseball and not about that kind of stuff. Players want to see it out of the game so it's not a subject. The focus should be back on the baseball."
