UPDATE: Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray is ready to reignite the fierce rivalry with the New York Yankees, expressing his excitement about joining a team where “it’s easy to hate the Yankees.” This bold statement follows Gray’s recent trade from the St. Louis Cardinals, solidifying his position in a Red Sox rotation seeking to bounce back from a disappointing postseason.
Gray’s enthusiasm comes just days after the trade was confirmed, highlighting his past struggles during his tenure with the Yankees from 2017 to 2018, where he posted a 4.51 ERA. His experience in New York was far from ideal, as he admitted, “It just wasn’t a good situation for me.” Now, he is eager to embrace the challenge of the Yankees rivalry, stating, “It’s easy to go out and have that rivalry and go into it with full force.”
During a press conference earlier today, Gray reflected on his time in New York, revealing, “I never wanted to go there in the first place.” He recognized the difficulties he faced, saying, “I just wasn’t myself.” This time around with the Red Sox, however, he feels liberated and ready to showcase his true abilities. “This time around, it’s just go out and be yourself,” he emphasized.
Gray, now 36, boasts an impressive 3.58 ERA over his 13-year career with several teams, including the Athletics and Reds. His addition to the Red Sox is seen as crucial, especially as they look to strengthen their pitching staff which is led by ace Garrett Crochet.
The Red Sox will face the Yankees in their first series of the season from April 21-23 at Fenway Park, followed by a matchup at Yankee Stadium from June 5-7. As the anticipation builds, Gray’s remarks have already sparked conversations among fans and analysts alike, with many eager to see how he performs against his former rivals.
Gray is not the only player expressing disdain for the Yankees; star closer Aroldis Chapman previously stated he would “retire on the spot” rather than play for New York again, citing “a lot of disrespect” from management. This trend of former Yankees expressing their feelings adds fuel to the already heated rivalry.
As Gray prepares to don the Red Sox jersey, fans can expect a renewed vigor when the two teams clash. With a new mindset and a fresh start, he is poised to make a significant impact on the team and possibly rewrite his narrative against the Yankees.
The baseball world is watching closely as the season approaches, and fans are already marking their calendars for these exciting matchups. Gray’s journey from the Bronx to Boston represents not just a career move, but a chance for redemption and rivalry that baseball enthusiasts won’t want to miss.
