Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah fired back at a pundit who questioned his work ethic during an MLB Network segment.
Anthony Recker, a former MLB catcher and now analyst, questioned Alek Manoah’s work ethic in a TV segment on the league’s flagship network.
“Alek Manoah, I love you, Alek, just show me you’re willing to put a bit more time in the gym and that you’re going to be there consistently for a bit longer. I still love you,” Recker said.
Suggesting that Manoah doesn’t spend time in the gym is a shot at his workout routine and thus how much he cares about his status as one of the bright young pitchers in the sport. It’s uncalled for, and frankly not true.
Recker went on to pick Triston McKenzie as the best under-30 starter he’d want at the top of his rotation. Manoah took to social media to blast Recker for his comment.
Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah blasts MLB pundit
Anthony Recker responded to Manoah, saying “don’t let someone throw a video out of context at you and get you upset. You’re an incredible talent man and I’d love to see you make the most of that. I hope to see you continue to get better and be great for a long time. I wish I had even a tiny speck of the talent you do.”
Manoah didn’t fall for the flattery, however. He stayed on the offensive, and suggested that Recker is just like any other MLB analyst, and is cowering once put on the spot:
“You’re just like everyone else. Love to talk and then wanna say sorry when you get called out. If you wanna see how an All Star, 1st team All-MLB, and CY young finalist trains,” Manoah said.
Manoah went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA last season. He finished third in AL Cy Young voting.