CHICAGO -- Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus is adamant that he absolutely, positively never told New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner to go (bleep) himself during Thursday's brawl-filled afternoon at Comerica Park.
But the detailed account of their interactions that Ausmus offered on Friday was just as bizarre.
Ausmus said he wanted to "clear the air" after Yankees manager Joe Girardi publicly criticized him in post-game interviews on Thursday.
"Brad Ausmus is going to say F-you to one of my players?" Girardi asked rhetorically. "Come on, Brad. What is that?"
Girardi: "Brad Ausmus is going to say F-you to one of my players?