Boyd Is Suspended for Leaving Red Sox Clubhouse

After walking out on the Boston Red Sox for the third time in two seasons, pitcher Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd has been suspended without pay for a minimum of three days, the team announced Friday.

Boyd stormed out of the Red Sox clubhouse amid a stream of obscenities before Thursday’s game, angered over being left off the American League All-Star team for the second consecutive year.

Later Thursday night, located by a Boston Globe reporter while parked in his car in nearby Chelsea, Boyd said: “I should have been on it and I should have been on it last year, too. I want my reward and I want it today. Roger Clemens didn’t get them (the Red Sox) there by himself, you know.”

Boyd also told the Globe: “I got a good mind to go back (home) to Mississippi. I might be on a plane tomorrow. I’ve had it with this town. Any team would be glad to pay me to play. I’ve even got a good mind to go and play in Japan.”

Boyd indicated he would rejoin the Red Sox on Friday, but at 5:10 p.m., when all players are required to be in uniform, Boyd had still not arrived at Fenway Park.

At 5:30, General Manager Lou Gorman announced Boyd’s suspension.

“Until he shows up and apologizes to his teammates, he will not be given back his Red Sox uniform,” Gorman said. “He’s a pro baseball player being paid a pro salary. He’s supposed to be here.”

Boyd also went AWOL last year after being left off the All-Star team and again this year during spring training.

Gorman said Boyd’s suspension is open-ended. “The longer he goes without showing up, the longer the suspension,” he said.

Boyd, 11-6 with a 3.71 earned-run average, was originally scheduled to pitch Sunday’s game against the Angels. Starting in his place will be rookie Jeff Sellers (3-3).