Red Sox' Alex Verdugo Calls Out Blue Jays' Alek Manoah For "Disrespecting Opponents"

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah has been the subject of criticism from Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo over his on-field behavior.

In a recent interview with the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast, Verdugo claimed that Manoah showed disrespect towards Red Sox players during a game last season by taunting them after striking them out.

Alex Verdugo was exchanging comments with fans in left field who were chanting "Mookie's better."

One fan in particular was standing up and seemed to be really yelling at him.

— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) June 7, 2021

A fan filmed Alex Verdugo yelling at the crowd after a baseball was thrown in his direction

The fan was cheering and giving him the middle finger pic.twitter.com/XxLEzXNrqL

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 18, 2021

“If it's a genuine reaction and it’s for the boys, not directed towards somebody, then yeah (it’s fine),” Verdugo said. “Like I’ll say it right now, I think Alek Manoah goes about it the wrong way, 100 percent I think he does. You can find videos of him, footage of him in Triple-A going like this to hitters. Last year, telling Franchy and Bobby like go sit, s**t like that and looking right at them.”

Alex Verdugo calls out Alek Manoah, saying he goes about celebrating the wrong way

"That shit just pisses me off. It's not the way it should be played."

(via @WEEI) pic.twitter.com/THF9BOn4yI

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 5, 2023

Manoah has a reputation for being emotional and showing his personality on the mound. He responded to Verdugo's comments by saying that he doesn't care and that his job is to pitch and get guys out. He sees his emotion as a way to stay in attack mode and perform at his best, regardless of who is at the plate.

“Coming from him? I don’t give a sh–.” Manoah told reporters as he was heading to the Kauffman Stadium bullpen to get some work in priory to Tuesday’s game against the Kansas City Royals.

“My job is to pitch and get guys out.”

"Coming from him? I don't give a sh-t." 😤

Alek Manoah responds to Alex Verdugo's remarks (via @longleysunsport) pic.twitter.com/7dAYTHzknN

— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) April 4, 2023

This debate about appropriate behavior on the baseball field is ongoing, with some believing that players should be allowed to show their emotions and others believing that disrespect towards opponents is unacceptable.

It's still slightly surprising to hear this coming from Verdugo, as he too is known for his loud on-field personality.

The upcoming series between the Blue Jays and the Red Sox at Fenway Park in May could be an interesting one to watch, as tensions may flare between Manoah and Verdugo. Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports