Each year, July 4 in the United States means fireworks, and lots of them. This year, there will likely be an encore of fireworks from July 5-7 at the Oakland Coliseum when Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees take on Dallas Braden and the Oakland A’s in a three-game set.
It will be the first time in which A-Rod and Braden will see each other since their on-field spat on April 22.
“There are things that are going to have to happen,” Braden told CSN Bay Area on Wednesday. “Out of respect to my teammates, out of respect to the game. I think he’s probably garnered a new respect for the unwritten rules and the people who hold them close to their game. But I think you’re right, we don’t do much talking in the 209.”
The 209 is in reference to Stockton, Calif., where Braden is from and attended high school.
A-Rod wasn’t as amused by Braden’s comments, telling reporters Friday night: “I think Major League Baseball reads the same articles as we do. Now, look, I really don’t want to extend his extra 15 minutes of fame.”
While Rodriguez appears to have taken this clash to a personal level, Braden is keeping it professional — for now.
“I mean not that I didn’t like him as a person, because I haven’t had the privilege of meeting him on a personal level,” Braden added. “I’m not a fan of his antics, obviously what he displayed wasn’t the first display of his lack of respect for the game or those playing it, so that never sat well with me. He’s just an individualistic player. That’s his approach to the game, he plays for the name on the back, and I don’t know if he’s noticed, but he doesn’t have a name on the back over there. He should play for the name on the front a little more.”
Check out the rest of Braden’s interview below:
