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McRae: pitchers had "rally beer"

Wednesday, November 03, 2004

News that some members of the Boston Red Sox did shots of Jack Daniel's before games six and seven of the American League Championship Series and before the World Series games didn't exactly shock former Royal Brian McRae.

“When I heard about that I kind of just shrugged my shoulders,” McRae said Tuesday. “I've seen players do that before games when I was playing. I'm not saying guys got drunk or wasted, but I knew guys who had a beer or two or put some brandy or cognac in their dip before games.

“They did whatever it takes to give them an edge or maybe just to wash something else down. I've seen pitchers go in after they've been struggling and have a rally beer.

“People shouldn't be shocked. Fans don't have to know what really goes on in the locker room anyway.” But wouldn't fans be a little taken aback if they knew? “I don't see why,” McRae said. “People drink at work. People go out and have a drink over lunch or a martini and then go back to work and function. If you can function, hey, whatever it takes to do the job. It's an adult game.”