Apparently even backup catchers serve as target practice for Boston’s ownership group…

ESPN:

Former Boston Red Sox catcher Kelly Shoppach, not first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, was behind the text message sent to team ownership in late July that complained about manager Bobby Valentine, the New York Daily News has reported.

Citing major league sources, the newspaper says Shoppach was “deeply involved” in writing the message, which was sent on Gonzalez’s cell phone.

Shoppach, who since has been traded to the New York Mets, denied any involvement in sending the text.

“I’m really disappointed that my name was even brought up in that,” Shoppach said after the Mets lost to the Nationals in Washington on Sunday. “I wasn’t behind any texts. I actually didn’t even attend the meeting. It was on an off day in New York and I stayed back in Texas with my family. I’ve already gotten a few text messages from former teammates apologizing that my name was even brought up in it.

However, sources told the Daily News that the text message “was not (Gonzalez’s) idea or his opinion … or his words,” but rather came from a small group of Red Sox players that included Shoppach.

One member of the group, according to the newspaper, believed the only way to solve their problem with Valentine was to take it up with ownership, and Gonzalez — the highest-paid player on the team — felt it would be best if that text message came from his phone.

What an incredible embarrassment the Red Sox are. How do they even have one fan?