Price critical of Eckersley's lack of clubhouse presence, plans to speak with him
David Price has opened up about his well-publicized confrontation with Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley.
Speaking with reporters on Saturday for the first time since being placed on the 10-day disabled list, Price said he hasn't spoken with Eckersley as of yet. He does, however, plan to clear the air with the Red Sox broadcaster.
Price mocked Eckersley on a team flight to Toronto back in June after becoming aware of the NESN analyst's negative reaction to Eduardo Rodriguez's pitching line from a rehab start with Triple-A Pawtucket.
Though Price now admits he could have handled the situation better, the left-hander said he takes issue with Eckersley's absence from the Red Sox clubhouse.
"I mean, if you're going to say what he says, you know, come around. Just show your face," Price said, according to Tim Britton of the Providence Journal.
Price said he feels the aftermath and media attention from the Eckersley incident were the most difficult aspects of the whole situation.
"(Fans are) going to believe what they read and what they hear on TV. That's not us," Price said. "If Eck was around, he'd know who we are. He's never in the clubhouse. Mr. (Jerry) Remy is always in here. Dave O'Brien is always around. Mr. (Mike) Timlin, on the road trip, always in the clubhouse. He's (Eckersley) the one guy I've never seen in my career that doesn't ever show his face in the clubhouse. There's a reason for that."
Price - who admitted he sees himself as a team leader and feels like he should stand up for teammates - concluded by offering up some praise to Eckersley.
"Ever since that's happened, he's been really good. He's said a lot of positive stuff about everybody in the clubhouse. This is one band, one sound. We've got to have everybody on board. That's that," Price said.
In terms of his DL stint, the 31-year-old is expected to play catch on Monday or Tuesday and said he doesn't expect his latest elbow injury to sideline him for long.