Same Old, Same Old, Oil Can Blows Lid Over Chicago Media

Slamming his hand on a table, shaking his head and shouting expletives during a radio interview, Oil Can Boyd showed again Wednesday what once made him one the most emotional players in the majors.

“Nobody is going to give Oil Can a hard time! Nobody!” he yelled during a telephone talk with WSCR in Chicago.

Boyd, often animated and occasionally agitated during his career, did not say exactly what made him so angry. The 15-minute flareup, which included cursing that was aired, came in a press room after the Chicago White Sox worked out.

Boyd, 35, is the only White Sox player to acknowledge signing a contract to be a replacement. He was 78-77 with Boston, Montreal and Texas from 1982-91, and pitched last season in the independent Northern League.

Asked by show co-host Mike North whether his strikebreaking position should be questioned by two-time American League MVP Frank Thomas of the White Sox or anyone else, Boyd snapped: “He got no business saying nothing to me.”

“He can’t judge me on no political basis,” he said. “You better know me before you talk to me.”

Boyd blew up in a room full of reporters, leading some to speculate that perhaps it was an act. In fact, he did a brief television interview after that, although he still seemed to be steaming.

Boyd then stalked back through the press room, muttering, “Don’t mess with me.”

After tossing a few things in his locker, he walked to his car and left without comment.