John Lackey: Beer & Fried Chicken Talk “Retarded”

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ March 27, 2012 at 11:03pm ⋅ Post a comment

John Lackey Drinking (Image from ShotofGinn.com)

Just when it seems we’re ready to finally move on from last season’s Red Sox collapse, leave it to Dan Shaughnessy and John Lackey to bring us right back.

The veteran reporter has always been conscientious, and his column in Tuesday’s Globe about Lackey reflected just that. He likely took note of every single word Lackey said. Every single word. He even decided to publish one of the bad ones.

“Guys having a beer after their start has been going on for the last 100 years,” Lackey said. “This is retarded. It’s not like we were sitting up there doing it every night. It’s not even close to what people think.”

**facepalm**

In the column, Lackey told Shaughnessy that fans forgive you once you perform well. Lackey’s issue, though, is unique…considering he’s out for the entire season, one year after one of the worst seasons in team history. He can’t play, so we can’t forgive.

He tried to make it up to us, though, by releasing a statement through the Red Sox later on Tuesday:

“I apologize for my thoughtless choice of words that appeared in print earlier today. I meant no harm, and I am sorry to all I offended.”

First, allow me to say I am proud to not be a member of the PC police. Those people annoy me. But, since Lackey is a public figure, there’s a pretty clear line he cannot cross, and he has crossed it yet again with his use of the “r” word. Seriously, I’m surprised people actually still say that word. By saying that word, Lackey is clearly dumber than the all the talk about beer in the clubhouse.

On a side note, I’m not sure what to think about Shaughnessy going with the exact quote including the “r” word. Lackey did say it on the record, so Shaughnessy had every right to go with it. Fair enough. Though, I can’t imagine Lackey will speak with Shaughnessy on the record ever again.