Boston, MA — It was a confrontation that shook the foundation of Red Sox Nation — a clash between two towering figures in Boston baseball, one current and one legendary.

Back in 2017, during a routine team flight, tensions erupted when David Price, then a star pitcher for the Red Sox, publicly confronted Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley in front of players and staff. The incident stemmed from an on-air comment made by Eckersley during a Red Sox broadcast, where he expressed sharp criticism of one of Boston’s young pitchers — a comment Price found unnecessary and humiliating.

Eyewitnesses reported that Price, standing in the aisle of the team charter plane, loudly told Eckersley, “Here he is! The greatest of all time! The one and only!” — in a sarcastic tone that caught everyone’s attention. What followed was an awkward silence and clear discomfort among players and personnel on board.

The story quickly leaked to the media, sparking widespread backlash against Price. Many fans and sports analysts accused him of disrespecting a Red Sox icon, and some questioned his leadership and maturity in the clubhouse. The phrase “You don’t talk to Eck like that” became a rallying cry on Boston radio stations.

But as time passed, the truth behind the confrontation began to surface, revealing a more complex picture.

Sources close to the team said Price wasn’t just defending his teammate — he was calling out what some in the clubhouse viewed as a pattern of harsh, personal critiques from Eckersley. Several younger players reportedly felt targeted or demoralized by Eck’s blunt on-air remarks, and Price, who was respected for his loyalty to teammates, chose to speak up — albeit in a public and controversial manner.

Even manager John Farrell acknowledged the tension at the time, calling it a “sensitive situation.” Though the Red Sox organization tried to keep a lid on the details, the incident highlighted a growing divide between generations of Red Sox figures — old-school honesty vs. new-school clubhouse chemistry.

Neither Eckersley nor Price ever issued a formal apology, and the two never publicly reconciled. Price would later leave the Red Sox in 2020, while Eckersley continued in his broadcast role until his retirement from NESN in 2022.

Years later, fans still debate the incident. Was it a moment of selfish disrespect, or an act of loyalty gone too far?

Regardless of which side you’re on, one thing is clear: when legends collide in Boston, it’s never just a game.