Marcus Stroman lays it on Barstool Sports founder in latest spat of on-going feud: "Bad bet you privileged little proud boy"

After a successful World Baseball Classic appearance for Puerto Rico, all eyes were on Marcus Stroman as he took the mound for the Chicago Cubs on Opening Day.

Born on Long Island to a Puerto Rican mother and an American father, he chose to represent his mother's home island in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He made a pair of starts and allowed three runs over nine innings in the tournament.

In the wake of Puerto Rico's quarterfinal loss to Team Mexico, Dave Portnoy (founder and president of Barstool Sports, a sports and culture blog) made a number of tweets that Stroman took offense to.

"No need to play the race card when it’s beyond obvious how you think of minorities you petty little proud boy. You’re trash. I’m just here to let you know. Lol" - Marcus Stroman

Stroman posted harsh rebukes on a number of Portnoy's tweets.

Dave Portnoy has a large internet base and is known for his enthusiasm for sports-betting and outward support of former US President Donald Trump (and other right-wing figures). Portnoy has been a big voice on the American sports media scene since he founded Barstool Sports in 2003.

Ahead of Stroman's March 30 start for the Chicago Cubs against the Milwaukee Brewers, Portnoy tweeted that he was "betting against" the right-hander, who deemed a "crybaby."

Stroman responded to Portnoy, calling the Boston-native a "proud boy," eluding to a right-wing group founded by conservative provacateur Gavin McInnes in 2016.

"Bad bet you privileged little petty soft weak proud boy." - Marcus Stroman

Distractions are the last thing Marcus Stroman needs this year

It was an opening day performance in which Stroman kept the opposition scoreless while striking out eight over six innings. The Cubs won 4-0 and Stroman was credited with his first win of the season.

While he certainly put on a display, it seems likely that this fued is far from over.

Stroman, 31, is a former Gold Glove Award winner. He signed a two-year deal with the Cubs in 2022.

After posting a 3.50 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 25 starts for the Cubs last year, it is clear that Stroman is entering the prime of his career. If he can avoid allowing himself to get dragged into Twitter spats, all the better.