BOSTON -- Dustin Pedroia said Kevin Youkilis teammates are behind him in the current controversy surrounding Youk and manager Bobby Valentine.
Youk plays as hard as anybody Ive ever seen in my life, Pedroia said. I have his back and his teammates have his back. We know how hard he plays. I dont really understand what Bobbys trying to do, but thats really not the way we go about our stuff around here. So Im sure hell figure that out soon.
Perhaps Valentine was trying a motivation by discomfort tactic?
Maybe that works in Japan or something, but over here, in the U.S., were on a three-game winning streak, Pedroia said. We want to feel good and keep it rolling. We feel we have a good team and we just got to get each others back and play together because if you dont do that, I dont care what sport youre playing, youre not going to win . . .
"This games hard. Youks a great player and he works his butt off. We all know how hard he works. So I dont know.
"Ill talk to Bobby and talk to everybody. Well figure it out."
Valentine, though, isn't sure the issue will disappear quickly . . . though he thinks it eventually will.
I dont know how you just clear the air," he said. "Itll be talked about and written about and kibitzed about and people have to understand what the truth is and whats right is right and whats wrong is wrong and you dont legislate common sense.
"But I think the guys will get it. Its a good group of guys."