Red Sox Player Recounts Disturbing Incident from 2018 Season

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In a recent podcast interview, former Boston Red Sox utility player Brock Holt recounted a disturbing incident from the team's historic 2018 championship season. Holt said that during a pregame stretch session, one of his teammates looked around at the group and threatened to 'bring a gun to the field tomorrow and kill all of you,' singling out Holt as the first target. Holt did not name the player, but the timing matches up with the Red Sox designating Hanley Ramirez for assignment shortly after a series against the Tampa Bay Rays in late May 2018.

Why it matters

This revelation provides a rare glimpse into potential clubhouse turmoil behind the scenes of the Red Sox's dominant 2018 campaign, which saw the team win a franchise-record 108 games and the World Series. It raises questions about how the organization handled potential threats and disciplinary issues, even as the team was steamrolling its way to a championship.

The details

According to Holt, the incident occurred during a pregame stretch session before a series against the Tampa Bay Rays in late May 2018. One of Holt's teammates 'looked around at all of us and says, "You know what? I'm going to bring a gun to the field tomorrow and kill all of you." And then he looks straight at me and says, "And you're gonna be first."' Holt said he told the teammate, 'Dude, I know you're probably joking, but you can't say that.'

• The Red Sox played the Rays at Tropicana Field from May 22-24, 2018.
• On May 25, 2018, the Red Sox designated first baseman Hanley Ramirez for assignment.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Red Sox have not commented on the alleged incident or Holt's recounting of it. It's unclear if the organization took any disciplinary action against the player at the time.