(Audacy) Red Sox rookie pitcher Josh Winckowski raised eyebrows over the weekend when explained that he wasn't impressed with Wrigley Field, going as far as to dismiss the historic venue as “underwhelming.” That criticism didn’t sit well with Cubs fans, though Winckowski insists he meant no disrespect, acknowledging the park’s atmosphere and rich tradition in a subsequent interview with NESN host Tom Caron.
“I was not attacking the fans with that comment,” Winckowski said during his recent appearance on the TC and Company podcast. “As a rookie, obviously, every time you get to a new ballpark, you get into the dugout and kind of look around. When I (arrived), there were no fans in the stadium, so I didn’t have that feel. And my initial impression was, honestly, what I said. The lower level and then the top was just very standard in my opinion.”
Winckowski turned in one of his best performances Saturday, limiting the Cubs to six hits, two runs (one earned) and a walk over six strong innings. He still took the loss as Boston’s slumping offense managed just one run on five hits.
“It was a good atmosphere,” Winckowski said. “You can definitely feel it, and obviously I don’t underestimate the history there. But architecturally, I stand by my comment.”
Winckowski noted he has gotten some grief from fans on social media, though whatever minor controversy he caused should blow over soon.
“I check my Facebook about every week-and-a-half mainly for my grandpa, and I went on there the other day and they were on my Facebook with different tags and posts that I’ve been on,” said Winckowski, who made his MLB debut on May 28 at Fenway Park. “It’s all part of the business. People want authenticity and honesty, and then you give (them) a little bit and people take it personally.”
Wrigley Field may not be the most modern or physically impressive park in MLB, but what it may lack in state-of-the-art facilities, it more than makes up for in charm and character, with its ivy-covered walls and vintage scoreboard— which is still operated manually — in center field.
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