Carl Crawford ‘Wasn’t Happy’ With Red Sox Owner John Henry’s Criticism, Will Let His Play Do the Talking

FORT MYERS, Fla. –– Carl Crawford feels slighted.

Making his spring training debut at JetBlue Park on Monday, the Red Sox outfielder expressed his disappointment over the comments Red Sox owner John Henry made about him following the 2011 season.

In a radio interview in October, Henry said he "personally opposed" signing Crawford to a seven-year, $142 million deal.

Despite the controversial remarks, Crawford doesn't have any plans to privately meet with Henry. The four-time All-Star said he intends to allow his performance on the diamond to prove the owner wrong.

"I can't do nothing about what he said," Crawford said. "I can just go out and play, you know, but it's unfortunate he feels that way. It's nothing for me to say, but just go out and play.

"I wasn't happy about it. I was a little surprised, but like I said, it's unfortunate he feels that way. I wish those words hadn't come out."

But Crawford said he didn't harbor any hard feelings toward Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine. As an ESPN analyst last season, Valentine criticized Crawford's open batting stance.

When asked about the critique, Crawford maintained that Valentine was entitled to divulge his opinions as a member of the media.

"That [was] his job to do stuff like that on TV and I understand how that goes," Crawford said. "Playing for him now as a manager, I'm sure he doesn't really feel that way. That's just stuff you can say when you're on TV. Me and Bobby don't have any hard feelings and we both have a common goal and that's to help the Red Sox win."

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