Years from now, it’ll be interesting to see how Boston remembers David Price. Is he the guy who conquered his past postseason demons to lead the Red Sox to the 2018 World Series or the guy who famously feuded with Dennis Eckersley?
Tuesday’s seismic swap will always be remembered as “the Mookie Betts trade.” The fact that Price is a cash dump throw-in, is a reminder of the bizarre path his Red Sox career traveled from beginning to end.
Whatever anyone thinks of Price personally, the Red Sox do not win the 2018 World Series if he didn’t pitch the way he did in the postseason. Chris Sale was injured. Alex Cora didn’t trust Eduardo Rodriguez yet and the bullpen was unreliable. Price was outstanding. He probably should have been the MVP. In some cites, he’d be a legend. But in Boston, nobody seems to be lamenting his departure.
He never connected with fans, who expected more out of him and he struggled with the media. Price wasn’t nearly the pitcher in Boston he’d been elsewhere. He was paid like an ace, but most of the time pitched like a No. 2 or No. 3 starter. Even after his World Series heroics, he seemed more angry than elated.
Price was the latest newly rich player to arrive in Boston thinking he either could handle or wouldn’t have to deal with the emotionally exhausting grind that is playing for the Red Sox. In Tampa, Toronto and Detroit, Price was highly-regarded by fans and teammates alike. He was known for his thoughtful and, at times, playful personality, active social media and his French bulldog Astro. The Rays’ younger pitchers described him as generous with his time and knowledge, a willing big brother.
He got jaded in Boston quickly, especially with the media. He shut off Twitter and Astro disappeared from public view.
Fans don’t hold it against players for disliking the media, but his surprising war with Eckersley was another story altogether. He intentionally embarrassed the Red Sox Hall of Fame former pitcher turned broadcaster on a team flight in 2017 and rekindled the feud after a relatively innocuous comment by Eckersley a year later.
Tough exits are often the case in Boston. Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Mo Vaughn, Nomar Garciaparra, Terry Francona, Johnny Damon and Manny Ramirez all were beloved Red Sox before their relationship with the team and fans diminished on the way out.
Price’s departure most closely mimics Josh Beckett’s and that doesn’t bode well for Price’s legacy. Beckett was as valuable to the 2007 World Series winner as Price was in 2018. But Beckett’s legacy in Boston is as much the chicken and beer scandal as anything he did on the field.
The 2018 World Series has already lost some of its luster because of Alex Cora’s connection to sign-stealing meaning more than likely, Price strongest ties will forever be to his interactions with Eckersley.
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