Crawford to Delmon: Shut up and play

UPDATE (2:16 p.m.):
The volleying between Carl Crawford and Delmon Young appears to be over, or at least on hold, as Young declined to respond much to Crawford's Friday morning comments.
Asked about Crawford's comments after Friday's workout in Minnesota, Young told reporters: "I don't need to say anything. I responded back to his first thing. .. I'm not worried about anything."
Young said there was no need for him to talk with Crawford: "Not at all. I'm down in Fort Myers playing with the Twins. I'm not part of the (Rays) organization anymore.''
As for making the trip to St. Petersburg on March 4 for the first of three Rays-Twins games of the spring: "I ain't going to worry about any of that stuff. Why should I be scared to go.''
Crawford after the Rays workout said he, too, was done with the exchange, and had no interest in clearing things up with  Young. "I don't want to talk to him at all.''

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Carl Crawford has a message for former teammate Delmon Young: Shut up.

Irritated at Young's reaction to his comments about the Rays having a calmer clubhouse without Young and Elijah Dukes, Crawford spoke out early Friday morning.

"These are exactly the the kind of distractions we were talking about with the Rays, a young guy popping off at the mouth, talking too much,'' Crawford said. "He needs to just shut up and play baseball.''

Crawford said that if Young didn't fully understand his comments about the Rays benefiting from having fewer distractions, Crawford said he will be more than willing to explain it. After reading Young's comments in the Times early Friday morning, Crawford was animated in his response:

"Nobody even mentioned the word losing, losing games. We know we've been a losing franchise. He just wanted to say something back like he's always running his mouth. That's what he does. He runs his mouth all the time. Nobody was blaming him for anything. For him to come back at me was a personal attack. I feel that if there is anything that he is unsure about, tell him I would be more than happy to say it in his face, or any kind of other way, that would make him understand."

After reporting to camp Tuesday, Crawford said he looked forward to the calmer environment the Rays would have without Dukes and Young and said that if the two young outfielders hadn't been traded he thought they would have contined to cause problems. He also said they lacked maturity and didn't act the way rookies are supposed to act.

Young volleyed back Thursday when he reported to Twins camp in Fort Myers, saying he discounted the comments because he's seen other players say things like that then turn around and trash the Rays when they leave, invoking the name of former Rays catcher Toby Hall. Young also said he and Dukes shouldn't be blamed for the Rays' poor record since they were a losing franchise before the two arrived.

Crawford's return volley:

"Nobody ever said he was the reason why we lost games. We know that. We said it was a more at-ease enviroment, which is true. And second of all, I have no problem with coming directly to his face and telling him whatever it is he needs to know. Nobody's waiting till he leaves. Nobody cares about him leaving. For him to say we want to act like Toby Hall and leave, nobody's doing that. Trust me. Me personally? Tell him this is a direct statement from me; I will come say it directly to his face. If he wants to know, if he is not sure about anything, I'll say it directly to his face. I'd be more than happy to say it to his face. Make sure he gets that.''

Crawford also questioned why Young aligned himself with Dukes: "He always wants to feel like if he can say him and Dukes, he feels protected that Dukes has his back or something like that.''

Crawford also offered what sounded like a message to the Twins:

"Tell them, this is exactly the kind of thing Crawford and the Rays were talking about. It hasn't happened much (in Minnesota yet), but at some point it will and they will see what we were talking about over here.''

Comments

[Mike]

See this is what I meant by being a veteran clubhouse leader. Why didn't he get in Delmons face when he was here.

[Pete]

I trust Carl here. He's in the clubhouse, and he is one of the team leaders now. There will be a more positive atmosphere, and I believe that the Rays have made the right moves to challenge for the playoffs; i.e., developing and acquiring pitchers and trading away the poison in the clubhouse.

[Jackson]

Mike - maybe he did get in face while he was here but kept it in the clubhouse. Only now that Delmon is again showing his a** does Carl have to step up in the media.

[Kevin in North Carolina]

Delmon sucks...Not one time did Carl call out Delmon...He stated that it felt calmer...If it feels more calm then he is stating the obvious...Delmon was a cancer to the Rays and will be for Minnesota...I'm sure the coach for Minnesota "politically" supports the trade for Delmon then flips off the GM behind their backs...I'm glad Delmon is gone...Joe Maddon didn't want that headache anymore...For such a superstar that Delmon is predicted to be, why would anyone give up that kind of talent?..Well, its because Delmon's talent isn't worth demoralizing the team...Great riddance Delmon...

[Willie]

They all need to be quiet and play ball! The team has not broke .500 since their inception. Give me 10 million a year and the clubhouse can be as rowdy as it wants to be !

[brian]

Awsome! Crawford never really gets angry and talks to the media about it, so I thinks it's safe to say that Young pushed a few wrong buttons. Hopefully this will fire up the team even more.

[Mike]

sounds like Crawford thought that Delmon used Dukes as his muscle. I am glad Delmon is gone, he has thought he was a superstar since he was drafted and never thought he had to earn a thing. Carl on the other hand did it the right way.

[Reality]

CC better watch out. I am sure Elijah has alerted his thug friends. Sad that it has to be this way. Delmon is aligning himself with Elijah, because he knows Elijah is crazy and may do something....

[DON]

It is entirely appropriate for Carl Crawford to assume the leader's role in the clubhouse. It is part of what is needed to further push the Rays forward this season. However, the trap that may be set is that by being so vocal...Carl becomes one of the 'distractions'. Winning will cure all, though.

[RFN]

I can't imagine CC as a distraction. It appears to me that he has clearly established himself as a leader. Hard to imagine any other Ray being aligned behind Delmon or Dukes and not CC.

Go Carl - always respected you as a player, now have new respect for you as a clubhouse leader.

We seem to really have some good clubhouse guys now: Percival (his jersey thing with Kaz, Shields & Garza shows he is 100% on board). Cliff Floyd - steady veteran. Pena, our rock last season and now CC - has always been quiet, but now showing he will speak up when necessary. I like it.

[kathy]

Typical of Young to react this way.....OF COURSE it is a much calmer environment without all the drama that was Young & Dukes. Carl was merely pointing out the obvious. It is just Young's typical reaction to make this a personal issue....he needs to GROW UP. Now that we have eliminated these two upstarts lets concentrate on playing some positive baseball.

[Tony]

Just when I thought I couldn't be any more fired up for this season Crawford sends my excitement level up another notch. It's about time somebody said what everyone in the clubhouse was thinking. And for it to be Crawford, who has worked as hard as anybody in this league to get to where he is today, makes it that much sweeter. Good riddance Delmon.

[kathy]

Typical of Young to react this way.....OF COURSE it is a much calmer environment without all the drama that was Young & Dukes. Carl was merely pointing out the obvious. It is just Young's typical reaction to make this a personal issue....he needs to GROW UP. Now that we have eliminated these two upstarts lets concentrate on playing some positive baseball.

[Mike]

Way to go CC! I love the fact that he is publicly calling him out. Its too bad that Young isn't good at taking constructive criticism because he is a hell of a talent but his attitude is garbage. Dukes is just straight up a piece of trash. He won't make it through the first half of the season without getting into some kind of trouble.

[Lauren]

Wow. Never would have thought I'd hear that coming from CC. I agree with him, but still. Wow.

[Tony]

You go Carl!!! Take charge of the clubhouse and tell it like it is. Just wait till we play the Twins. The Rays are going to rain down on you Mr. Young. You were a cancer to Rays while you were here and so was Dukes. Get over your "ability" to play ball. Attitude goes with it and you don't have the right kind. Why do you think you were traded!!!! Talent doesn't take you everywhere you need to go, except Minnesota. We still have one of the best outfields in the major leagues. Go Rays!!!

[john d]

gee, I never knew everyone was personal friends with DY?? Do you all know him enough to call him a cancer on the team? What CC says my in fact be true. We as fans will never know really the deal. I wish Carl, the class A veteran that he says he is, just says "no comment" next time an issue like this comes up. That is how a real mature player would act if you asked me.

[Lane McLaughlin]

hope young doesn't throw a bat at crawford

[Gene]

Well done CC! Just setting the standard early on that this team will stand up for itself and now there is another player that will hold people accountable. I sat next to a Red Sox fan at the Trop last year and he wanted to know who was the best player we had. I told him to keep an eye on CC because he paid his dues and works hard, and unlike DY or ED, has acutally produced with consistency at this level.

[Gene]

Well done CC! Just setting the standard early on that this team will stand up for itself and now there is another player that will hold people accountable. I sat next to a Red Sox fan at the Trop last year and he wanted to know who was the best player we had. I told him to keep an eye on CC because he paid his dues and works hard, and unlike DY or ED, has acutally produced with consistency at this level.

[raysfan]

sheesh, talk about the media fanning the flames. it's what they're best at. this is just like ESPN as the intermediary between keyshawn and T.O. -- just stirring up controversy.

[ewen21]

You people are a laugh. Crawford didn't need to say what he said and for whatever reason he threw two former teammates under the bus. Everyone knows their history and both of them are trying to move forward. If Crawford had any class or balls he'd have stepped it up last year or he wouldn't have served up this unnecessary agitation.

What does he care about two players who are gone? Why not just wish them luck and take the high road? HE is the one who needs to SHUT UP.

As far as Young goes, you people are ridiculous when it comes to him. He was asked the question and had no knowledge of the comments prior to the question. If anyone took the high road it was Delmon. His comments were harmless for a guy who was thrown under the bus by a person he probably was friends with at one point.

And now Carl comes out and pours gasoline on the fire? Tell you what....if Delmon leaves this alone then Carl looks like an immature fool. No matter how many of you Tampa people applaud him.

Some veteran presence that Crawford. I wouldn't be so proud of this guy for finally speaking his mind about those two. If he had any leadership skills at all he would have spoken up last year. Personally I can't wait until Crawford comes up to Minnesota in April. We'll see what he's got to say then.

[crawdelli]

I wonder which Rays pitcher will be the first to drill DY in the back? I vote for Kaz.

[tc]

Why would CC bring up thepast if he wants to move forward, as the old saying "water seeks it own level" to be leader you need to worry about what is going on and not relive a problem you took care of

[JB]

Crawford needs to shut his mouth. If I was Delmon I would have responded also. Since Crawford has been here he has led the team to the worst record in Baseball. CC is a bit full of himself... Shut up and Play Carl, you baint done nothing in Baseball yet

[Ryan Callahan]

Thank you CC. It needed to be said, but it could have been said last year. But young didnt have to say anything. But he did, and i know he will again, so i cant wait to see what he says next.

[Marc]

First off I think it's pretty weak that Carl is grouping Young and Dukes in the same boat. I have no doubt Young was a jerk in Tampa, but Dukes is on different level. Second, why does Carl feel this need to trash ex teamates? The Rays have some great prospects and are heading in the right direction. Shut up, play ball and don't worry about what Young is up to. As far as everything Carl said it sound more of a problem with Tampa and Madden then it does Young.

[Mike]

I hope Delmon doesn’t get booed in Tampa Bay by 3,000 fanatic Ray fans.

[Tommy]

I swear some "Rays" fans complain about everything. Last year it was "nobody will stand up and be a leader" now that Carl is doing that everyone jumps on his back. I'm sure you guys would complain if we won 99 games next year because it isn't 100.

[Tweety]

Apparently being a leader in the clubhouse means badmouthing former teammates....who knew?

[Rays Make-a-me Mad (every season)]

How are we going to be better without Young? I don't get it. He's the 1 stud we had in our lineup. Also, why do I keep supporting this sad franchise?

[Sean]

One stud?? I didn't know a .287 average was stud like...Last season I would put Crawford, Pena, Upton, Iwamura, and Harris all better than Upton hitting, and with the exception of Harris all better at fielding as well.

[Andre L. Smith]

ewen21,

+1 to you, sir.

[Steve]

If any of the Rays pitchers nail Young in the hip or back, my guess it would be Percival.

[Ryan Callahan]

i hope it is either percival or kazmir, so he gets the very clear and painfull message.

[J]

It is time for CC to put his money where his mouth is. I expect an MVP season from him. I am talking about 30HR 100RBI 100R 100SB .300BA .400+OBP and gold glove D. I expect CC to lead this team to the wildcard. I expect him to be a team leader...to call out schmucks who don't toe the line. To not accept medocrity. I expect CC to prove he is indeed a Hall of Fame talent. I expect CC put put this team on his back and carry them. I expect CC to fulfill the expectations he has for himself. If he can't do it, he should quit and try out for the Bucs as a running back.

[raysfan]

i can't believe some of these more recent comments. why don't you anti-CC people give up and shut up already? what more do you want from him? he's done nothing but lead by example and continue to produce, putting up big #s and working his butt off even in the worst seasons. i don't know if you're sox/yanks/twins fans, or what have you, but unless you're a clueless ostrich with your face in the dirt, or just in complete and utter denial, you ought to know that CC is one of the hottest players EVER to play the game. i said EVER. like it or not, you need to swallow that and accept it. and if he doesn't get his cred or his due, it's NOT because he doesn't deserve it -- it's because of where he plays. so take your anti-CC, anti-rays bullcrap elsewhere, because we've got a great team coming up this year and your teams are going to feel the heat.

oh and i'd like to remind everybody of one thing. CC doesn't feel comfortable filling a leadership "role." he prefers to lead by example. there is a difference. he's said so to the press, and you know that if you've been paying attention. GO RAYS!

[jeff]

. . . if he "prefers to lead by example" why did he keep talking with Young and Dukes during the National Anthem at every spring training game last year?

[Tim]

To 6:10 "J".. You forgot to expect the " walk on water" or the " turn water into wine" thing...

I believe the original comment was made concerning a calmer clubhouse.. DY read this ( or had someone who knows HOW read it to him ) and once again got offended.. He fires back with his comment.. It looks like CC has finally had enough of DY's crybaby come-back comments and says if Delmon has a problem, let him know he ( Carl ) will be more than happy to explain it to him face-to-face..

For all you " shut up and play baseball" people let me ask you this.. How long do you listen to a whiney-a#@ little mutt before you smack him on the nose and tell him to go shut up and sit in the corner ?? Carl Crawford and Delmon Young are no longer teammates.. Delmon Young had no reason to comment on Crawford's original comment.. But as usual he made it a point to, being the whiney-a#@ little mutt he is..Carl simply had heard enough of his whining and smacked him on the nose..

Do ALL T.B. Rays fans a favor and worry about your own new puppy box, Delmon.. WE heard more than enough the few years you were here...

[bobby b]

now dadgummit, lay off CC. It ain't like he shot the president.

[ewen21]

-----------HERE IS WHAT WAS REPORTED AT TWINS CAMP TODAY-------------

Young had a similar calm demeanor Friday. Young was handed a copy of the story with Crawford's latest comments and chose not to engage in the war of words.

The outfielder instead smiled and shrugged his shoulders as he said, "There is not too much to worry about. We've got stuff going on down here in Fort Myers. You know, I just responded back."

When asked if he felt the need to talk to Crawford following the most recent comments, Young said no, not at all.

"I'm down in Fort Myers and I'm with the Twins now," Young said. "I'm not part of the Rays organization anymore. I'm not really worried about anything there. I'm just worried about the guys in this clubhouse and playing good ball down here."

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So you see, Delmon is taking the high road. Carl got the first AND last word on this and he started the whole thing. If you guys want to hate on Delmon, whatever.

This is just a media circus. Nothing more.

[J]

CC is a MAN, a real man---a leader of men. I expect him to act like a man. I expect Hall of Fame performance, nothing less. I expect playoffs. If he can't hang, maybe football is his best option. He is all-pro RB. No more baseball BS, no more talk. I want to see action. Take this team on to his back. You want $250MM? Take this team to the promised land. He is OUR man. He represents our community. I want to see action, not talk. CC, in my opinon, belongs in the same breath as Rose, Cobb and Robinson. Focus, you own the moment. Make history. CC, I believe in you. Go for it!

[t]

WOW J did you wipe off your chin, he's 26, hasn't prove nothing yet, being the best worst doesn't get you in the hall

[J]

He is LaBron, He is the man---BELIEVE!!!

[Belly Buster]

Hey Rays fans, this is why you stink. You had one of the highest touted young stars, and you traded him. Now you think you'll be better? Get a clue.