David Price

At 39 years old, David Price has this physical status:

College career

Although Price was drafted in the 19th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of high school, he did not sign and instead enrolled in Vanderbilt University on an academic scholarship. For three seasons, he played for the baseball team.

Both Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball named Price as a Freshman All-American in his freshman season in 2005. In 19 games, he went 2–4 with a 2.86 ERA, totaling 92 strikeouts in 621-13 innings pitched. Price almost left baseball to work at a McDonald's in his hometown, but his mentor, Tim Corbin, had to stop him from doing it.

Price set a new low of 9.16 ERA in 110+13 innings pitched in 2006, a new record. With 155 batters, he set a single-season record in strikeouts, despite walking only 43 batters. He had 10 or more strikeouts per game, including one with a 17-strike out win in a game against Arkansas in six starts early in the season, including a 17-strikeout effort. He was one of five finalists for the Golden Spikes Award this year and a semifinalist for the Roger Clemens Award. The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, first-team All-American, and second-team All-SEC were also selected by the coaches in that league.

He set an 11–1 record with a 2.63 ERA as a junior. He was the country's best strikeout pitcher, tossing out 194 batters in 133+3 innings, breaking his own school record. In the SEC Baseball Tournament, he made his last start against SEC competition against Mississippi State. Price pitched a complete game, going nine innings while giving up five runs, two runs, and striking out 11 batters with no walks. In Vanderbilt's first game in the 2007 Nashville Regional, he made his last attempt at the college level against Austin Peay. Price retired 17 batters via the strike out in nine innings of work against Austin Peay, while only yielding five hits, one run, and two walks. Price has received numerous major national awards, including college baseball's top prize, the 2007 Brooks Wallace Award, and college baseball's coveted trophy, the 2007 Dick Howser Trophy. David Price was the first to receive a clean sweep of all the college baseball awards.

Price pitched for the United States National Team in the summer of 2005. In five games, he went 2–0 with a 1.26 ERA, with 39 strikeouts and 13 walks over 28+223 innings. He pitched a complete game shutout over Nicaragua on August 2, 2005, only allowing five hits. Price earned the gold medal in the World University Baseball Championship in Cuba in the summer of 2006. Price was 5–1 with a 0.20 ERA in eight starts for the United States.

Professional career

With the first-overall pick of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft, Price was drafted. On August 15, 2007, he began his first professional career. The six-year deal was worth $11.25 million ($8.5 million) plus a $5.6 million signing bonus. After the MLB had ratified his case, he was added to the Devil Rays 40-man roster before being drafted to the minor leagues to begin his career.

Price's compensation was the highest in draft history. The signing bonus was the second-largest in draft history, behind only the $6.1 million Justin Upton earned from the Arizona Diamondbacks as the top overall pick in the 2005 MLB draft. The guaranteed value was the third-highest draft value in history, trailing only Mark Prior ($10.5 million) and Mark Teixeira ($9.5 million) from the 2001 draft. Price made his spring training debut against the Yankees, hitting the first batter he faced, Francisco Cervelli, and then striking out the next three in a single inning of work.

Price was the first person to pitch for the Vero Beach Devil Rays of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. He played for Vero Beach for six games, compiling a record of 4–0. He had a batting average of 1.82 with 37 strikeouts in 34+2nd3 innings pitched.

After the game, Martínez said of Price:

Price was promoted to the Durham Bulls of the Class AAA Southern League in July after moving from the Rays minor league system to the Montgomery Biscuits of the Class AA Southern League. Price lost his first professional match in his first start at Triple-A Durham after compiling an 11–0 combined record in Single-A and Double-A.

Price made his major league debut against the Yankees on September 14, 2008. Derek Jeter, the first MLB hit, was a home run by Jeter of the New York Yankees; Jeter would later record his 3,000th home run, as well as the 2011 World War II. Price pitched 5+1 3 innings of relief against the Baltimore Orioles on September 22, 2008, his first major league start with the Rays. In Game 2 of the 2008 ALCS against the Boston Red Sox, he was the winning pitcher, winning a post-season game before winning a regular-season contest. Price was in Game 7 of the 2008 ALCS for his first career save (regular season or postseason; postseason results are reported separately) and eliminating the defending champion Red Sox. In Game 2 of the 2008 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Price pitched 2+13 innings; he gave up two earned runs but still earned his second postseason save. Price introduced Barack Obama at a Tampa campaign rally the next day.

Price won his first major league regular-season victory with a 5–2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on May 30, 2009, in which he struck out 11 batters in under 6 innings. He ended the season with a 10–7 record, a 4.42 ERA, 102 strikeouts, and 54 walks in 23 starts.

Price was the first American League pitcher to win ten games in the 2010 season. He was 10–2 on that day and led the league with a 2.31 ERA. For the 2010 All-Star Game, Price was selected as the American League starting pitcher.

He finished second in the American League (with Jon Lester) in victories (19) and in third place in ERA (2.72). With 188, he was eighth in the league in strikeouts. In the AL Cy Young Awards, he came in second, behind Félix Hernández.

Cliff Lee and the Texas Rangers both lost games 1 and 5 of the 2010 American League Division Series.

Derek Jeter was awarded a home run during a game against the Yankees on July 9, 2011, marking Jeter's 3,000th appearance in the franchise. Price ended 2011 with a 12–13 record, 218 strikeouts, and a 3.49 ERA in 34 games.

Price went 20-5 on the season (tying for the league's highest number in victories) with a league-leading 2.54 ERA. On April 24, 2012, Price pitched a complete shutout against the Los Angeles Angels, with the final score 5–0. In the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, Price was pitched. On September 30, Price won his 20th against the Chicago White Sox, making him the first 20-win pitcher in Rays franchise history. He was the youngest American League pitcher (aged 27) to win 20 games in a season since 2004. After a close contest, Price received the AL Cy Young Award.

Price went 10-8 on the season in 2013, with a 3.33 ERA and career-best four complete games. Price pitched a complete game against the Texas Rangers in the 2013 American League Wild Card tie-breaker, leading the Rays into the postseason.

Price went from June 4 to 25, hitting at least ten strikeouts in a row, making him only the eighth pitcher in major league history to do so.

Price was called to his fourth All-Star squad on July 6, but he did not attend this All-Star game due to pitching in a game two days ahead and avoiding pitching on a single day of rest. Fernando Rodney took his place.

Price had a record of 11–8, with a 3.9 ERA, 189 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 23 starts with the Rays as a result of his trade to the Detroit Tigers on July 31.

Drew Smyly, Nick Franklin, and Willy Adames were traded to the Detroit Tigers in a three-team contract that brought Drew Smyly, Nick Franklin, and Willy Adames to the Tampa Bay Rays and Austin Jackson to the Seattle Mariners on July 31. Price pitched 8+2/3 innings against the New York Yankees in his Tigers' debut against the New York Yankees on August 5, allowing three runs, striking out ten runs, and walking none.

Price allowed one hit and an unearned run in the first inning and then retired the final 23 batters he faced on August 21, his first game against his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays. Price is the first pitcher in the major leagues to miss a complete game, one-hitter or better, with no earned runs since Andy Hawkins left a no-hitter for the New York Yankees on July 1, 1990. It was the first time since 1914 that a pitcher had lost a complete game, one-hit, no walk start, and without allowing an earned run.

In the third inning of an 8–4 loss, Price allowed eight runs and twelve hits, with nine hitting in a game against the Yankees. He was the first pitcher since Bob Forsch in 1989 to allow nine straight hits. Only three times in major league history have a pitcher allowed 12 hits in two innings or less, with Shawn Estes in 2003, Johnny Podres in 1963, and George Uhle in 1929.

Price went 4–4 over the last two months of the season, with a 3.59 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 77+223 innings for the Tigers. Price pitched 7-13 shutout innings against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, giving up four runs, striking out eight, and winning by 3–0 for their fourth straight AL Central Division title.

Price set a 15-12 record, 3.26 ERA, and 1.08 WHIP in the 2014 regular season. In innings pitched (248+13), batters faced (1,009) and strikeouts (2271).

Price and the Tigers stuck to a $19.75 million salary for the 2015 season on January 16, 2015, the highest one-year contract for an arbitration-eligible player prior to free agency. Coach Brad Ausmus named Price as the Tigers' opening day starter for 2015, snapping teammate Justin Verlander's streak of seven consecutive opening days off. In the Tigers' 4–0 victory over the Minnesota Twins, he responded by pitching 8+2/3 shutout innings.

Price was announced to the 2015 All-Star Game on July 6, his fifth appearance. Price pitched a scoreless fourth inning in the game, knocking out two others and giving the AL a win. He made the All-Star Break with a 9-two record, 2.38 ERA, and 115 strikeouts.

Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd, and Jairo Labourt were all traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on July 30, 2015. On August 3, Price made his Blue Jays debut. In a 5–1 victory over the Minnesota Twins at Rogers Centre, he threw 119 pitches in 8 innings, with 11 strikeouts and a winning call, while giving only 3 hits, 2 walks, and 1 earned run. José Nez's team set the most strikeouts in a Blue Jays' pitching debut tied his 11 strikeouts tied for the most strikeouts. Price won his 100th game in his career on September 5, beating the Baltimore Orioles 5–1. On October 1, the Blue Jays had clinched the AL East for the first time, and he was scratched from his last game of the season. In 2015, Price made 11 starts for the Blue Jays and finished 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 74+1/3 innings. Price started Game 1 of the ALDS for the Blue Jays, losing and setting his career record to 1–6. On October 12, he would win his second straight postseason appearance, pitching 3 innings in relief of R. A. Dickey's game 4 debut.

Price ended the 2015 season with an 18–5 record and a 2.45 ERA. In the Cy Young Award balloting to Dallas Keuchel, Price came in second place.

Price agreed to a seven-year, $217 million deal with the Boston Red Sox on December 4, 2015. It was a franchise record. On April 5, 2016, Price scored a win on his first appearance with the Red Sox. Price's first season was markedly different from the first to second half. Price made an 8–6 record in his first 18 appearances, with a 4.64 ERA. He had a 3.99 ERA with a 17-9 record. He was the AL's highest pitcher with 230 innings pitched and 227 hits allowed. After his 2014 season split between Tampa and Detroit, his 228 strikeouts were also the second-highest in his career. In addition,, he was the first pitcher to start 35 games since Chris Carpenter in 2010.

With an elbow injury sustained in spring training, Price started the season on the 10-day disabled list. On Monday, May 29, 2017, Price was triggered and made his Chicago White Sox debut.

On June 29, Price was involved in a verbal altercation with NESN broadcaster and Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley on the team's plane; Eckersley had sluggish results, prompting Price to yell, "Here he is — the greatest pitcher ever lived!" This game is simple for him,' at Eckersley, before doubling down with repeated requests of "Get the fuck out of here!" Several Red Sox players were lauded for their applause. Both the media and fans chastised Price for his berating of Eckersley as well as his refusal to apologize.

Price was again on the 10-day disabled list on July 28, due to left elbow inflammation. On September 14, he returned to the Red Sox after being recalled from a relief role for the remainder of the season. Price pitched 6+2/3 innings against the Houston Astros in the 2017 American League Division Series, including four innings in Game 3. The Red Sox will continue to lose the series by 3-1.

Price said he wished he had handled the situation with Eckersley differently during spring training and that he knew he'd win the fans back by pitching well. "If I go out pitching the way I am able to pitching," he said. Price returned to the rotation for the 2018 season and threw 14 scoreless innings in his first two starts, leading to a standing ovation from the audience at Fenway Park in the second half. "When he's healthy, he's one of the best pitchers in the league," Red Sox manager Alex Cora of Price said after the game. Due to a small case of carpal tunnel syndrome, Price was postponed from a scheduled start against the Yankees on May 9. Price made 30 appearances (all started) during the 2018 regular season, with a 16–7 record, 3.58 ERA, and 177 strikeouts in 176 innings.

Price opened Game 2 of the Division Series against the New York Yankees in the postseason. He allowed three runs on three hits but was dismissed after 1 1+3 innings, causing the loss. This was Price's tenth postseason game, all of which had resulted in injuries for his clubs. Price's next postseason game was Game 2 of the Championship Series against the Houston Astros, which the Red Sox won by 7–5, with Price allowing four runs, five hits, and four walks in 4+2/3 innings; he was denied because he did not complete the fifth inning. Price was unable to start Game 5 of the series due to health issues, and the win was guaranteed, with Houston scoringless through six innings while allowing just three hits and striking out nine. The Red Sox clinched their first return to the World Series since 2013, winning 4–1. It was Price's first victory in 12 years and his third straight win; the two previous victories were won in relief during the 2008 ALCS and 2015 ALDS.

Price for Game 2 of the World Series began next week, limiting the Dodgers to three runs on three hits and three walks in six innings, with five out of five and the Dodgers winning by 4–2 Boston. In Game 3, the price provided scoreless relief in Game 3 and warmed up in the bullpen for Game 4. Despite full rest (and with a shoulder injury), Price started Game 5, with Alex Cora's argument that a National League park would require a pinch hitter who would force him to leave early. On his first pitch, Price gave up a home run to David Freese, but he later retired 14 batters in a row. In the eighth inning with Boston leading 5–1; Joe Kelly and Sale took the final six outs to win the World Series.

Price said on October 31, ahead of the Red Sox victory parade, that he would not use an opt-out provision in his deal; "We did it this year, and I want to do it again." The Baseball Writers' Association of America's (BBWAA) in early November named Price as the Babe Ruth Award winner, recognizing the MLB player with the highest result in the postseason. Price was named AL Comeback Player of the Year later in November.

Price announced that he would change his uniform number from 24 to 10, in honor of his son Xavier, since "X" stands for Roman numeral ten. Price commenced the season as a member of the starting rotation, averaging of 3.75 ERA in six starts before being placed on the injured list on May 6, retroactive to May 3. He was activated on May 20, starting and winning in a match against Toronto. Price won six straight decisions from May 20 to July 7. Price appeared on the paternity chart in early August as his wife gave birth to their second child; at the time, he had a 7–4 record with a 3.7 ERA in 20 innings with 123 strikeouts in 102+223 innings; at the time, he was on the ternity list with a 7.86 ERA in 20 starts. Due to a left wrist triangular fibrocartilage (TFCC) cyst, Price was placed on the injured list on August 8, retroactive to August 5. On September 1, he was activated from the wounded list. He pitched the day on the first day but was later forced to leave the rotation due to further concerns about his wrist. He didn't pitch again during the season, ending with 22 appearances (all starts), a 7–5 record, and a 3.2 ERA.

The Red Sox traded Mookie Betts, Mookie Betts, and cash consideration to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Alex Verdugo, Connor Wong, and Jeter Downs on February 10, 2020. Price also pledged $1000 to each of the Dodgers minor league players in an attempt to help offset their bills during the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020. Price revealed on July 4, 2020 that he would not play during the short season of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite not playing a single game for the Dodgers this season, the Dodgers went on to win the 2020 World Series, and the team agreed to give Price a World Series championship ring. In order to raise funds for The Players Alliance, Price decided to sell his ring to the public in order to help raise money for The Players Alliance.

Price made his first big league save against the Colorado Rockies on April 15, 2021. Curt Casali of the San Francisco Giants fired out his former colleague and fellow Vanderbilt alum for his 2,000th strikeout on May 27. In the 2021 season, Price appeared in 39 games for the Dodgers, 11 starts and 5–2 with a 4.03 ERA. Price was good for the NLDS but did not appear in a game and was kept off the roster for the NLCS until Joe Kelly's injury, but he did not appear in Game 6, but he did not appear in the NLCS.

Following 38 appearances in the 2022 season, Price was placed on the hospitalized list in early September, bringing them right out of the bullpen. During an interview with USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Price talked about retirement after the 2022 season. "It's just time," he said. "Everything on my body hurts." As rumors of his possible retirement spread, Price told news outlets that he had not reached a decision on his retirement date and that he expects to return to pitching in time for the postseason. The Dodgers' money was only in 40 games, so it was all out of the bullpen. It was the first season of his career in which he had not played a single single game. He took 11 runs in 40+13 innings for a 2.45 ERA.

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