FORT MYERS, Fla. -- While not backing off of any of the past criticisms he's made of Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez, Red Sox ace Curt Schilling was a little perplexed why the media is playing up the feud as such big news.

Red Sox right fielder Trot Nixon was the latest to send a few zingers A-Rod's way earlier this week, saying he wasn't a true Yankee and bringing the story back to the forefront.

"Those aren't topics brought up by us," said Schilling. "[The media] are the ones asking the questions. I'm pretty sure that me not liking Alex Rodriguez is not a groundbreaking story. I'm sure there's a lot of guys who don't like each other."

A few months back, Schilling described A-Rod's illegal slap of the ball in Game 6 of last year's American League Championship Series as "bush league." He also stated that he didn't think the Red Sox would have won the World Series if the proposed trade that would have sent A-Rod to Boston for Manny Ramirez had been consummated in Dec., 2003.

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A-Rod counterattacked Schilling's comments in January.

"I hope he continues to talk about me and the team," Rodriguez said. "It's great motivation to beat him in the future."

Schilling thought it was a bit of a stretch to think A-Rod would need such a motivating force.

"I don't need somebody to not like me to motivate me to play," Schilling said. "The guy is an MVP. I would wonder if those comments actually got him fired up to play better."

The Red Sox insisted they hold the Yankees in the highest esteem, despite what selected players might say about Rodriguez.

"I think as a whole our team has been pretty modest in victory and respectful of the opposition, especially the Yankees, and focus on what we have to do," said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. "I haven't seen those remarks in full. But if there's anything personal, I'm sure it's just a blip and it will pass. I know from knowing our guys that they're very, very respectful of the Yankees and what they've accomplished. It doesn't mean we don't play hard against them. But off the field, there's a lot of respect. I think it's mutual respect."

Red Sox manager Terry Francona didn't rule out speaking to his players about keeping some of the personal disdain for A-Rod out of the public eye.

"We may discuss that a little bit, we might," said Schilling. "These are men that are older and they have their opinions. But we're also a ballclub and I don't think there's anything wrong with showing other teams respect. With this rivalry, there's enough there already."