The Boston Red Sox highest paid player got into it on Twitter with some of the team’s fans. Will David Price be able to pitch with the pressure from Red Sox Nation?
Red Sox Nation isn’t known to be the friendliest or understanding of fans. Between the high expectations, media and history of success, Boston Red Sox players have always had an enormous amount of pressure on their shoulders. Some players can handle it, others cannot. It now seems that David Price will be the newest player to face the question.
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Price signed a massive $217 million deal through 2017. With that type of money, fans and the franchise expect him to be one of the top three pitchers in the league. In 2016, Price was not. He had a 3.99 ERA, the second-worst of his career. He gave up the most amount of hits in the AL and was replaced as the “ace” of the team.
His unraveling came in the playoffs when the infamously bad postseason pitcher went 3.1 innings in Game 2 of the ALDS. The poor outing immediately brought attention to Price’s spotty playoff record of 2-8 with a 5.54 ERA.
The disappointing (but not horrible) first season certainly brought some criticism from Boston fans on Twitter. Price frequently is using the social media platform, even posting tweets the day of a game. So it was no surprise that Price was going to defend himself.
Hatred from Boston fans…that never happens ????…thanks for your support I'll train hard to make you happy ???? https://t.co/ylRua883U1
— David Price (@DAVIDprice24) October 31, 2016
First off…. it was a pretty funny what was tweeted that prompted this. Now deleted, the tweeter essentially said, (and I’m paraphrasing) that he [tweeter] should dress up as a playoff start because it’ll scare him [David] more than anything. Getting into the Halloween spirit, the tweet may have been harmless, and he most likely didn’t expect the Cy Young winner to respond.
To his surprise, Price did. “Hatred from Boston fans…that never happens.” This seems like a poor choice of words from one of the faces of the franchise.
As you probably guessed, this tweet egged on other crazed Sox fans who threw their best virtual trash talk at him.
@DAVIDprice24 is this a real tweet David. Man up.
— Steve Patriots (@StevieDrama) October 31, 2016
This isn’t horrible, but not exactly what you want to see in your mentions tab.
@DAVIDprice24 @hatchaaa33 @tntracer_ @dfree1592 what do you expect David? This isn't Tampa. You let us down and need to be better.
— Michael Graham (@baldsportsdude) October 31, 2016
There is a lot of truth to this.
@DAVIDprice24 @hatchaaa33 @tntracer_ @dfree1592 r u seriously hating on the ppl you play for? Toughen up or u aren't meant for this city
— Kristin Sullivan (@kristinksully) October 31, 2016
And then the atomic bomb.
Price has to know that this isn’t Tampa bay, isn’t Detroit, isn’t Toronto. He is a member of the Red Sox and he is in Boston, a town with tough fans. Tweets like this can get you kicked out quick. The pressure alone is tough enough for most players, just ask Carl Crawford.
I do think this hate is a bit unwarranted. Price started out extremely slow, but he ended the season on a high note and was a major influence in their successful August and September. He actually made ESPN’s Cy Young Predictor list, coming in at number 10.
Fans are eager to compare him to Jon Lester, who the Red Sox were unable to sign following the 2014 season. In that case, look at Lester’s first season with the Cubs. He had his second worst win percentage in his career, gave up more than 180 hits and his wins above average was 1.4, very average for Lester.
Essentially, give Price another year before you throw him off the side of the ship. A new contract often gets to a player, but Price is a hard worker and should figure it out. And while the Boston Red Sox can have a tough group of fans to please, not all of them are so mean.
@DAVIDprice24 I'll take 17 wins any day. Keep the faith. @RedSox fans are behind you. @Jared_Carrabis
— Dennis W. Alpert (@DennisWAlpert) October 31, 2016
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