UPDATE: Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray has confirmed he is eager to take on the New York Yankees, stating he’s thrilled to be in “a place where it’s easy to hate the Yankees.” This comes just days after the Red Sox acquired Gray from the St. Louis Cardinals in a trade aimed at bolstering their pitching rotation.
Gray, who has had a tumultuous past with the Yankees, expressed relief and excitement about joining Boston, especially given the intense rivalry. “It feels good to me to go to a place now where, you know what, it’s easy to hate the Yankees,” he emphasized during a press conference on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old right-hander struggled during his time in New York, posting a 4.51 ERA over parts of two seasons. He admitted, “It just wasn’t a good situation for me,” and reflected on his challenges while playing in the Bronx. After being traded to the Yankees from the Oakland Athletics, Gray found himself in a difficult environment, stating, “I never wanted to go there in the first place.”
Now, as he joins a Red Sox team that requires robust pitching options following their postseason exit in New York, Gray’s experience and determination could be pivotal. He is expected to play a crucial role in a starting rotation that includes ace Garrett Crochet and several untested pitchers. Gray acknowledged the lessons learned from his past, saying, “I’ve been a better baseball player, husband, everything from having that experience.”
The Red Sox’s first showdown with the Yankees is scheduled for April 21-23, 2024, at Fenway Park, with their first visit to Yankee Stadium following on June 5-7. Gray hinted that this time around, he will focus on being his true self on the mound: “If people don’t like it, it is what it is. I am who I am, and I’m OK with that.”
Gray’s anticipation for the rivalry reflects a broader sentiment among players who have experienced the pressure cooker of competing in New York. Fellow pitcher Aroldis Chapman recently declared he would “retire on the spot” rather than play for the Yankees again, citing disrespect from management.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Gray as he aims to harness the energy of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, potentially redefining his legacy in Boston. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this dynamic plays out, making it a must-watch storyline in the upcoming MLB season.
Stay tuned for more updates as the season approaches, and follow how Gray’s journey unfolds with the Red Sox in this iconic rivalry.
