Boston – While many MLB stars shy away from off-field controversies, Garrett Crochet — the Red Sox’s most anticipated new ace — has unexpectedly spoken out amid the public storm after his controversial remarks. And his assertion has the entire baseball world turning around: “I don’t look at color — I look at people.”
This past winter, the Red Sox spent six years and $170 million to retain Crochet, making him the biggest pitcher with a service life of less than five years.
The 25-year-old — after being traded from the White Sox — quickly became the “new face” of Boston, expected to revive an unstable rotation. But with the rapid rise comes mounting pressure: from within the fan base to the press, Crochet’s every word and gesture is scrutinized — and any small mistake is magnified into a scandal.
Not immune to the backlash, he recently faced a backlash after a statement, and responded by speaking out clearly — with a bold but forceful statement: “I don’t look at color.”
At a press conference at Fenway Park, amid the echoes of fans and the flash of cameras, Crochet was blunt:
“In baseball, to me, there’s no room for discrimination. I don’t look at color — I look at people. If you throw well, you’ll get respect. If you stand your ground, you’ll get respect. That’s the way I’ve always played.”
The statement — simple but powerful — immediately went viral online. Some supported it because they saw honesty and character, others remained skeptical. But whatever it is, it’s a statement: Crochet—despite his trial—is not going to be quiet.
He’s not just talking—he’s showing it with his performance: since joining the Red Sox, he’s had a string of impressive performances: MLB-leading strikeouts, a solid ERA, and, most importantly, a rare complete-game shutout in his career.
Manager Alex Cora couldn’t hide his confidence: “He’s the ace we’ve been waiting for. But more than that—he brings a standard of character and dignity to the locker room.” In the clubhouse, teammates revealed they look up to Crochet with respect: not just for his talent, but for how he holds up under pressure.
But it’s not that easy. Some critics say Crochet’s statement was too hasty—that in this day and age, “colorblind” is easily taken as a harsh term, when the issue of race is so much more than that.
On forums, curses, criticism, even “boycotts” took place from a part of the fans. Some said: “A pitcher — not a moral monument.” Some said: “These words are empty.”
But he — as he said — did not leave the line: the professional factor still came first. “I understand my responsibility — to my teammates, to the fans, to the organization,” Crochet said. “If you want to denounce me — look at the data, look at the field, not from a statement.”
The story with Garrett Crochet is the clearest example of the MLB era: when a player is not only evaluated by numbers, but also demanded about personality, views, attitudes before society — things that were less concerned before.
With a $170 million contract, an ace status, the pressure to perform and the public’s multi-dimensionality — Crochet is playing a different game: not just to win at Fenway Park, but to make people rethink values, respect, how a modern player should conduct himself.
Garrett Crochet may still be the hottest name in Boston — not just because of his reputation, but because of his ability to turn chaos into a final strike. Even though the controversy has not subsided, even though people are still talking, he still steps up to the pitching post, ready to “show” it all with baseball — the only thing he believes is fair, regardless of skin color, regardless of rumors.
And with every pitch, every inning that passes, he wears not just the Red Sox colors — but his belief: not looking at skin color — just looking at people.
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