Every spring training, MLB organizations invite former players to camp to offer their leadership and baseball knowledge to younger players.
One of the Boston Red Sox legends at camp this spring is MLB Hall of Famer Jim Rice, who played 16 seasons with the Red Sox from 1974 to 1989.
Rice was also the Red Sox’s hitting coach from 1995 to 2000 and is currently a special-assignment instructor for the club. He is also an analyst for NESN.
In a discussion with The Boston Globe, Rice said an unnamed Red Sox staff member interrupted him while offering hitting advice to a player exiting a batting cage.
A staffer told Rice that his advice did not align with the organization’s hitting approach. Rice reportedly asked the staffer if he played professional baseball, and the response was no.
“It was something I didn’t like because I felt like I was disrespected,” Rice told the outlet. “I didn’t throw myself on anyone. I’m sitting down, having coffee. Nobody’s bothering me. Someone comes over and asks me a question. What am I supposed to say? I didn’t go and get this kid. I didn’t go and bring this kid and say, ‘Hit like this.’ He came over and talked to me.”
The Boston Globe adds that after the staffer told Rice he did not play baseball, the 1978 AL MVP responded, “Then you can’t talk to me. Look at the monitor, do what you do, and don’t talk to me.”
Despite the confrontation, Rice remains around Boston’s Fort Myers, Florida, spring training facility. The eight-time All-Star turned 72 on Saturday.