Why Triston Casas pregame routine caused tension in Red Sox clubhouse

Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas ruffled some feathers last year with his pregame routine. Why was that the case?

Triston Casas has taken years to develop his pregame routine. To be fair, it’s a little out there.

Casas often sunbathes and naps (when applicable) prior to his starts. That will not all carry over to this season, per the man himself, because of several “clashes” he had with his own teammates in the Boston clubhouse. In an interview with MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, Casas opened up about his rookie season.

"“I would have been more concerned if they weren’t saying anything to me,” Casas said. “I felt like that would have meant they didn’t feel like I was going to be (in the majors long). I think the fact they were telling me stuff, the fact they were getting on me for the little things meant that they wanted me to go about things the right way. They wanted me to make sure that I’m going to carry on that tradition throughout the years when I stay up here.”"

Why were Red Sox players offended by Triston Casas?

It’s unclear exactly what about Casas’ routine offended the Boston veterans, but it’s definitely out of the norm for players to sunbathe and sleep prior to the start of an MLB game. I can only speculate, but perhaps they were thrown aback and interpreted it with a lack of seriousness.

Casas, for his part, said he didn’t mind unless he felt the veterans were trying to make an example out of him.

"“If I ever felt like they were trying to make an example out of me, there would be a little bit of a clash because at that point, I would be considering that disrespect,” Casas said. “But if I know they had good intentions by what they meant, or what they were trying to tell me, then I would definitely oblige and just say yes and keep moving forward because their respect means a lot to me.”"

It would appear those tensions never fully boiled over, but for a player who’s expected to play a major role in the Red Sox’s future, it’s concerning that he was never really allowed to be himself.

Casas has an eccentric personality. Hopefully, with his initial big-league experience behind him, the former top prospect can relax in an welcoming environment.