CBS MLB analyst Jim Bowden isn’t shy about sharing his opinions, even when they come off as critical. On Friday, he didn’t hesitate to express his thoughts on Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon, claiming he lacks the passion for the game that former Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew had.
Shortly after Bowden’s comments, former Red Sox pitcher and Hall of Famer Jonathan Papelbon supported the remarks, revealing how little Drew and Rendon seemed to care about baseball and how much they disliked appearing at major league stadiums, based on his own experiences as their teammate.
Papelbon played alongside Rendon during his final two MLB seasons, 2015 and 2016, with the Washington Nationals before retiring. He was also teammates with Drew on the Red Sox for five years, from 2007 to 2011, during Drew’s final seasons.
While Rendon was focused on securing a lucrative deal with a team like the Angels, his performance declined after signing a seven-year, $245 million contract. With two years left on his deal and an average annual salary of $38.571 million, Rendon may miss a significant portion of the season due to a late hip surgery.
Papelbon sees similarities between Rendon’s attitude toward the game and Drew’s. Both players have only one All-Star appearance and have contributed little beyond that. Papelbon, who understands the dedication required to win and maintain a spot as a consistent All-Star, isn’t hesitant to call out players who lack enthusiasm, especially if they don’t seem to care enough to be offended.
