David Price had hinted that the 2022 season would be his last. The Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher made that official on Sunday.
According to Bob Nightengale from USA Today, Price is calling it a career once the postseason is over. He said that it was time and that “everything on body hurts.”
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price ends solid career
Chances are, Price is going to be remembered more for his contract with the Red Sox than his accomplishments on the diamond. He had received a seven year deal worth $217 million to head to Boston, a deal that seemed to be a strange fit at the time. While he appeared to be the top of the rotation arm the Red Sox needed, his personality and the high pressure market that is Boston did not appear to be a fit.
That proved to be the case. Price had his ups and downs with the Red Sox, eventually being attached to Mookie Betts to ship him to the Dodgers. He transitioned into a bullpen role in Los Angeles, his days of being one of the better starting pitchers in the game long behind him.
Price still managed a solid career. A five time All Star and the 2012 AL Cy Young award winner, he has posted a 157-82 record with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.163 WHiP over his 2141.2 innings, striking out 2076 batters with just 561 walks. Price led the league in ERA twice, won 20 games in 2012, and struck out over 200 batters in a season five times. At his peak, he was one of the best pitchers in the game.
That is how he should be remembered. While that contract is going to hang around his legacy like an albatross, no one forced the Red Sox to offer that deal. He should instead be remembered for his solid career and for being, for a few years at least, one of the best pitchers in the majors.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price is ready to retire after this season. He leaves behind a solid career and a complicated legacy.