Boston Red Sox fans react to rookie Triston Casas’ absurd pregame routine bothering team veterans: "Are you kidding me? Why don’t they join him?"
There hasn't been much in the way of positivity of late when it comes to the Boston Red Sox. The team finished dead last in the American League East last season and followed that up with what many consider to be a disappointing offseason.
The latest grumblings coming out of the Boston camp at spring training have to do with certain aspects of rookie first baseman Triston Casas' pregame routine during his brief debut with the Red Sox last summer.
Red Sox rookie Triston Casas' pregame routine including sunbathing and napping bothered some veterans last year, per @ChrisCotillo
Casas says there was "clashes" about how he should act but he appreciated the veterans telling him how they felt https://t.co/twqd7WNN2N
Two hours before his first game with the Boston Red Sox in September, Casas was seen sunbathing shirtless in the right field grass at Fenway Park. To the rookie, this was merely an extension of a routine that began three years earlier when he was in Class A ball. However, to Red Sox veterans, it carried an air of disrespect.
"Are you (expletive) kidding me?" MassLive.com reported a Boston pitcher saying within earshot of the newly-promoted player.
The report of Casas chafing Red Sox veterans came out on Thursday, and fans were quick to come to the side of the promising rookie.
@TalkinBaseball_ @ChrisCotillo Was he 100% ready to play when the game started? If so, who cares what his routine is? There is always comfort and productivity in routine.
@TalkinBaseball_ @ChrisCotillo i get it but he should warmup how he’s comfortable warming up especially if it leads to success
@TalkinBaseball_ @ChrisCotillo F anyone who has a problem with Casas being Casas. Never change for anybody. Being himself is what got him to this place. He better be laying out in the sun barefoot before every game or we riot as Red Sox fans.
Casas' routine continued to rub certain members of the Red Sox clubhouse the wrong way as his routine also included pregame naps.
According to the MassLive.com report, Casas noted that there were numerous "clashes" with established Boston players as to how the newbie should act at the major league level. However, considering how poorly the Boston Red Sox played last season, many fans think that the veterans should have tried the rookie's routine.
@TalkinBaseball_ @ChrisCotillo That sounds like a phenomenal routine
@TalkinBaseball_ @ChrisCotillo That sounds like an amazing pregame routine. Everyone has different routines and he isn’t bothering anyone so I don’t understand why this bothered some of the veterans.
@TalkinBaseball_ @ChrisCotillo Are you kidding me? Why don’t they join him? Sunbathing a napping on a Major League Baseball field sounds awesome 😂
Many MLB fans took note of how dark of a place that the Red Sox clubhouse can traditionally be. The Casas report is just another chapter in not only how rough it can be for a rookie to be accepted by a major league roster, especially when their routine doesn't jibe with veterans' preconceived notions of acceptable behavior.
@TalkinBaseball_ @ChrisCotillo Lmao the red sox clubhouse sucks
@TalkinBaseball_ @ChrisCotillo Lmfao the Red Sox have fallen apart
@TalkinBaseball_ @ChrisCotillo Sounds like a broken ball club. You never interfere with your teammates routine. Let them do them. Whatever gets them in the mindset. If it ain’t working then offer some suggestions 😂😀
Casas hit just .197 over his 27-game debut with the Red Sox last season, but did hit five home runs. That translates to 30 homers over a full campaign. While that many home runs in 2023 may placate any pregame routine issues, Boston personnel likely hope that sunbathing and napping is all the more different that Casas' routine gets.
@TalkinBaseball_ @ChrisCotillo If he smashes he could sacrifice a live chicken if he wants https://t.co/frQZbatv4i
Boston Red Sox plan on Casas as starting first baseman
The Red Sox let Eric Hosmer go this offseason, meaning that the team is planning to move forward with Casas as the starting first baseman in 2023. For what it's worth, the rookie took the veteran clashes in stride:
"I would have been more concerned if they weren’t saying anything to me," Casas told MassLive.com. "I felt like that would have meant they didn’t feel like I was going to be (in the majors long).
"I think the fact they were telling me stuff, the fact they were getting on me for the little things meant that they wanted me to go about things the right way. They wanted me to make sure that I’m going to carry on that tradition throughout the years when I stay up here."