Boston Red Sox: Steve Pearce waited one year too long to walk away

Boston Red Sox utility man Steve Pearce may have waited one year too long to walk away.

The 2018 campaign was one for the storybooks for Steve Pearce. Acquired by the Boston Red Sox to be a right handed compliment to Mitch Moreland at first, Pearce went on to play a vital part in the postseason. He won the World Series MVP award, knocking three homers and a double as he drove in eight runs over his 16 plate appearances. It would have, hypothetically, been the perfect time for the then 35 year old to walk away from the game.

Instead, Pearce returned for one more season. He appeared in just 29 games this year due to a myriad of injuries, leaving his future in question. For his part, Pearce is considering walking away from the game following the disappointing year.

If this is the end for Pearce, it is easy to say that he stayed one year too long. In his 99 plate appearances this season, he had a disappointing .180/.245/.258 batting line, with just one homer and four doubles, striking out 31 times.

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Despite never having 400 plate appearances in a single season, Pearce put together a solid career. A right handed hitter with power, he spent most of his time at first and the corner outfield positions, playing for seven teams in his 13 year career. Overall, he produced a .254/.332/.420 batting line, hitting 91 homers and 131 doubles in his 2555 plate appearances.

Yet, none of that success matched his World Series performance. He came through when Boston needed it most, particularly over the final two games after the Dodgers took Game Three. His home run against Kenley Jansen tied Game Four. His first inning homer in Game Five, a two run shot against Clayton Kershaw, and the first to two homers he hit that night, proved to be the game winner.

It would have been the perfect time for Pearce to walk away. he would have gone out a champion, his career finally recognized. Instead, he came back for one more year, another $6.25 million offer far too tempting to pass up. Unfortunately, the season ended in disappointment, with Pearce unable to contribute and the Red Sox missing the playoffs.

Steve Pearce had a solid career, but he will be remembered for his magical run with the Boston Red Sox. In the end, that is all that really matters.