Boston Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster will not play in 2014

Dempster walks along Boylston Street during the World Series parade and celebration. (Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)

He’s not saying he’s retired, but Ryan Dempster will not pitch for the Boston Red Sox pitch during the upcoming 2014 season. In a series of tweets from the Red Sox Twitter account, there were some notable quotes from Dempster.

1. Dempster is “at peace” with his decision.
2. Dempster is keeping the door open for after 2014.
3. He didn’t just have teammates, they’ve become “friends for life”.
4. “I’ve never had to work a day in my life. It’s meant the world to me. I’m so thrilled & humbled by everything the game has given me.”
5. “To not be around the guys any more is going to be tough.”

The last inning Ryan Dempster pitched was during Game 1 of the 2013 World Series. With the Red Sox holding a a 8-0 lead. He did give up a mammoth home run to Matt Holliday, but that was about it. If that was Dempster’s last hurrah, it still couldn’t gt much better. Getting that elusive World Series ring, participating in the parade. 2013 was good for him.

Dempster had inked a two-year, $26.5MM deal with Boston prior to last season. With the $13.25MM the Red Sox now have free (what Dempster would have earned for this season), the Red Sox can potentially pursue Stephen Drew for a return or even go after another bat in Nelson Cruz, but their sights may be more set on other of the top two free agent pitchers remaining: Ervin Santana or Ubaldo Jimenez.