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LUCCHINO CALLS BORAS’ SNACK FOOD DEMANDS “COMPLETELY DISRESPECTFUL”
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Wed Dec 13 2006 13:26:02 PM EST

  

**WORLD EXCLUSIVE**
**MUST CREDIT YARD WORK**

FLASH: YARD WORK and MATT DRUDGE have learned that contract talks between the BOSTON RED SOX and Japanese phenom DAISUKE MATSUZAKA have suddenly broken down on John W. Henry’s private plane somewhere above Arizona, as super-agent SCOTT BORAS’ demands for better in-flight snacks have turned the agent and Red Sox brass against one another.

“They all took off together,” said a source with direct knowledge of the talks, “and it appeared that a deal was done, but by the time the snack cart rolled past Boras’ row, he was furious.”

Sources say that Boras was infuriated when he received only one bag of ROLD GOLD-brand miniature pretzels, demanding “no less than three bags” of the delicious snacks as compensation for his time and hunger. Red Sox officials were unwilling to flinch from their initial offer of one bag of pretzels and an eight-ounce cup of a soda of Boras’ choice, and although they offered the agent a full can of soda, a second bag of pretzels, and/or a tiny Maker’s Mark, he refused to negotiate.

“At this point, the ball’s in Matsuzaka’s court,” said the source. “If he wants Boras to make the deal, he’ll have to concede his own bag of pretzels, attempt to mediate the talks between his agent and the Red Sox, or return to Japan and face the shame and indignity of dishonoring his country for an ounce and a half of snack food.”

Unconfirmed speculation is coming out of Boston that Red Sox staff have offered Boras a free pair of complimentary headphones so that he may watch the in-flight movie – rumored to be TALLADEGA NIGHTS, starring Hollywood funnyman Will Ferrell – and mull over their latest offer.

DEVELOPING…..