TAMPA – David Price has taken a razor to his comments about the Yankees.
The Rays’ ace and reigning AL Cy Young winner told reporters in Port Charlotte Thursday that while he did say he would never want to play for the Yankees because of their facial hair policy, he has all the respect in the world for the franchise.
“It probably wasn’t the best thing to say, but I didn’t mean anything by it,” Price said. “I wasn’t looking to offend the Yankees. It’s probably the best organization in all of sports. Not just baseball, but all of sports.
“I didn’t mean anything (against) the New York Yankees. I’ve had friends on that team for multiple years.”
Price told FoxSports.com earlier this week that he wouldn’t ever sign a long-term deal with the Yankees because of their team rules, specifically the one that prohibits beards.
“Those rules, that’s old-school baseball,” Price told the site. “I was born in ’85. That’s not for me. That’s not something I want to be a part of.”
Price won’t be a free agent until after the 2015 season, though he might find himself on the trade block long before then given the Rays’ lack of financial flexibility.
While many interpreted Price’s comments as him saying he would never play for the Yankees, the star lefty made it clear that isn’t the case.
“I can’t rule out anybody because, obviously, what they do for the game of baseball is just tremendous,” Price said. “I was talking about Joe (Maddon). I was talking about the way we do everything over here. How he lets us be comfortable in our own skin. And that’s what I was referring to.”
Maddon is well-known for the freedom he grants his players, keeping rules to a minimum. Music blares from clubhouse speakers, dress codes are not enforced and players are free to grow any type of facial hair they wish. Price insisted that his comments weren’t meant as a swipe at the Yankees but rather a compliment of the way Maddon conducts business.
“Look, I understand it, I really do; but I wasn’t thinking that way when I said it,” Price said of his perceived jab at the Bombers. “It wasn’t about that. I was referring to the way we do things here. I really don’t think that anybody does the things that we do here the way that we do it. That’s what I was talking about and that’s what the story was.”
Price will earn slightly more than $10 million this season, and although he will be arbitration-eligible and under Tampa Bay’s control for two more years, his escalating salary might make it impossible for the Rays to hold on to him. After watching teammate and friend James Shields get traded to the Royals this winter, Price seems to be savoring his time in Tampa Bay, aware that it could be coming to an end sooner than he’d like.
“I love it here; everybody loves it,” Price said. “I love everything from the trainers to the food guys to the clubbies. It’s just unique. … It’s not about going to a powerhouse, it’s about being comfortable where you play. That’s not a slap in the face to the New York Yankees. It’s about me.”
When Price logged on to his Twitter account Wednesday, he was shocked to learn his comments had caused a stir.
“I did that interview three days ago,” Price said. “I didn’t think about it the whole next day. I came here the next day and did all my stuff and nobody asked me about it. Then I’m riding home and I checked Twitter and I was just like, ‘Whoa.'”
Asked what the reaction was on Twitter, Price joked, “I can’t even repeat it!”
The 27-year-old Price quipped that his hair might fall out by the time he becomes a free agent, but for now, he and his neatly-trimmed beard are going to stay together.
“This is me,” Price said. “I love my beard for at least another year.”
