So when a team doesn’t play their best players for reasons other than injury, fans–and even the other team–could possibly have a reason to be upset. But in a Spring Training baseball game? That was the case when the Boston Red Sox fielded a team of nondescript players in a game against the Miami Marlins.
The Marlins, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, took exception to the lack of star power sent to the field by the defending World Series champions:
"The Marlins had no comment, but a source said team executives were “outraged” and planned to contact the league office. A league spokesperson said the matter would be reviewed.Major League Baseball has specific guidelines about Grapefruit and Cactus League lineups. Its 2014 regulations state teams should field: “A minimum of four players who are regulars on the previous year’s major league team or who were platooned on the previous year’s major league team on a regular basis, or who have a reasonable chance to be regulars on the major league club’s squad during the upcoming season. Each of those regulars, excluding pitchers, must play a minimum of three complete innings.”"
But Red Sox GM Ben Cherington has attempted to make amends with the Marlins, offering his apology for the scrub-lineup fielded in the game, according to the Palm Beach Post:
"Marlins president of baseball operations Mike Hill received an e-mail from Red Sox GM Ben Cherington during their game on Thursday apologizing for Boston’s predominantly minor league lineup.Cherington said “they had some injuries and were working on some things,” Hill said. “He apologized. So I don’t know if that meant he got a call from the league or what."
And what was at the crux of this mini-spring bru-ha-ha? Well, the Marlins had raised ticket prices for that day only, in thinking fans would be flocking to Jupiter, Fl. to see such big names as David Ortiz, Justin Pedroia and others.
Instead, they got to see the next crew at the local Sears appliance center.
[Source: Fox Sports]