Pablo Sandoval's first spring training in Boston got off to a rough start when his weight was the subject of discussion on social media, but the "Kungfu Panda" is shaking it off.
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Boston.com posted an unflattering photo of Sandoval on Tuesday, which led to a lot of backlash for the three-time World Series champion on social media.
Sandoval, however, is shaking it off.
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"Let them talk, talk and criticize," Sandoval, speaking in Spanish, told Marly Rivera of ESPNDeportes.com. "No matter what they say, it will never change me or the player that I am."
Sandoval was depicted at third base during fielding drills waiting at the bag with his stomach jutting out.
PHOTO: Pablo Sandoval probably isn't in the best shape of his life https://t.co/o8bcfy9owJ pic.twitter.com/2EqDmnrVtS — CBS Sports MLB (@CBSSportsMLB) February 17, 2015
The picture was taken on Tuesday during Sandoval's very first workout with the Red Sox, eight days before the team's first official full squad workout.
"We live surrounded by critics, so let them talk, let them criticize me as much as they want. Ultimately that makes me a better player," Sandoval said. "What really matters is who you are when you step on the field, and I will let my bat and my glove speak for themselves. That's the only way you can shut them up."
Sandoval is one of many new faces with the Red Sox this season and several players showed up early this spring on the heels of finishing 71-91 in 2014 and in last place in the AL East in defense of Boston's 2013 World Series title.
Sandoval, 28, signed a five-year, $95 million pact with the Red Sox this offseason.
For Sandoval, he'll just let the critics keep talking.
"Critics have said that I am lazy, that I am not working hard; that picture caught me at a bad angle. But once again, let them say whatever they want to say. I will prove who I am on the field and show Boston fans how hard I am working to be a champion with this team, too."
Sandoval hit .279 with 16 homers and 73 RBI with the Giants in 2014 and continued his knack for coming through in October by owning a .423 batting average in the playoffs en route to his third World Series title in San Francisco.
The 2012 World Series MVP squeezed the final out of the 2014 Fall Classic in what proved to be his final act with the Giants.
Now, despite an odd start to the spring, Sandoval is ready to block out his critics and try help the Red Sox get back to the Promised Land.
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