Bobby Valentine banned alcohol in the Red Sox clubhouse this year, becoming the 19th team to do so. Well, that was just the physical clubhouse located in Fenway Park, as it turns out, because according to this story, beer is still allowed when they are on the road. John Lackey was enjoying the festivities in Cleveland (as he still travels with the team) by double fisting beers after the game. He was also a central figure in the wicked bad controversy involving beer and chicken last season that totally destroyed the Red Sox season and is still clearly the impetus for what is happening this year.

Dumb controversy, but dumber by Lackey, who seems like a real peach. You might recall that he was in the process of getting a divorce from his wife, who was battling cancer.

John Lackey hasn’t pitched all year due to Tommy John surgery. That might be a positive as the 33 year old had a 6.41 ERA last season in Boston.

I’m more taken aback that the Red Sox clubhouse ban means they are totally cool with drinking in the clubhouse on the road. Apparently, whatever real or imagined motivation for imposing the rule exists (to show you are a good teammate, avoid liability for players drinking in work environment, to avoid criticism from Boston media), those factors are somehow gone when on the road. Without rules, you get Lackey going Frank the Tank. I’d like to picture him buffing the camaro in the team parking lot while the games are going on.

[photo via US Presswire]