Former Red Sox catching prospect reveals unusual ‘naked’ pre-game routine

Former Red Sox catching prospect reveals unusual ‘naked’ pre-game routine
Former Red Sox catching prospect Kyle Teel, dealt to Chicago last week, hopes to continue unorthodox pre-game routine. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)Boston Globe via Getty Images

Everyone remembers outfielder Johnny Damon performing naked pull-ups during his time with the Red Sox.

Now, a former Red Sox prospect has spoken about his own unusual habit prior to minor league games with Portland and Worcester.

Kyle Teel, the Red Sox’ first round pick in 2023 who was the centerpiece of the trade to the Chicago White Sox that landed Garrett Crochet, told the Foul Territory podcast that he had a habit of taking his pre-game dry swings naked.

“Yeah, it’s true,” said Teel somewhat sheepishly when asked to confirm the practice by co-host Eric Kratz. “We’re going to have to wait and see. We might have to run it by some people (to see if the White Sox allow it). But it became kind of a tradition last year. We’d have our meetings and then pre-game, I’d pick up the bat and it just became a funny tradition before we’d hop in the shower and get ready to play the game.”

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Teel got as high as Triple A while with the Red Sox, but is expected to get an invitation to major league camp with the White Sox. The White Sox, who lost a record 121 games last year, are in full rebuild mode and Teel believes there’s a chance for him to make the Opening Day roster.

“There’s a great opportunity for me to break camp with the team,” said Teel. “There’s a great opportunity to help the organization to get better and I think that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day. So I see the opportunity for me and that makes me excited.”

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