When the Los Angeles Dodgers completed their blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox just before the start of Sprig Training, much of the attention naturally went to the addition of 2018 American League MVP.
Internally, the Dodgers were just as bullish over David Price joining a rotation that already featured Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler. Price was coming off an injury-plagued season but had confidence surgery to correct a wrist issue had him in position to rebound in 2020.
With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic bringing about unique circumstances and challenges for not only MLB but world as a whole, Price elected to opt out of playing this year. He nonetheless has remained in contact with his Dodgers teammates.
The morning after Kershaw moved into second place on the Dodgers all-time strikeouts list, Price congratulated him on the accomplishment.
Congrats to @ClaytonKersh22 for passing Don Drysdale on Dodgers all time strikeout list!! Passing baseball legends and cementing his legendary status!!
— David Price (@DAVIDprice24) August 21, 2020
Kershaw finished with a season-high 11 strikeouts against the Seattle Mariners to pass Don Drysdale in Dodgers franchise history. Kershaw is now up to 2,493 career strikeouts. Drysdale had 2,486 in 14 seasons with the Dodgers, pitching for both Brooklyn and L.A.
“Obviously very cool just to be a Dodger long enough to accomplish something like that is pretty special,” Kershaw said. Some of the names on that list, it’s pretty cool to be a part of that.”
Don Sutton is atop the Dodgers all-time strikeouts list with 2,696, and Kershaw figures to pass him next season.
Joe Kelly defends Price
Generally speaking, Price avoided criticism for his decision to opt out. “For me, myself, I can’t speak for everybody, but I know in the Dodgers clubhouse, everyone respects D.P.’s decision,” Joe Kelly said earlier this year.
Kelly and Price were teammates on the Red Sox and share a close friendship. “Me knowing D.P. and where he was at, I respect D.P. for his decision. He’s one of my best friends. We talk to him, he still keeps in contact. His decision for him was the right decision,” Kelly added.
“Obviously there will be people let down, but people will disagree with you no matter what throughout your life. For D.P., we support him, we make him feel like he’s part of the team still. He watches all the games and text us. He’s still part of our team. He still is engaging, rooting, supporting, talking baseball.
“That’s one of the cool things about David Price. It could be easier for someone to opt out and isolate themselves, but D.P. is a guy who cares so much about other people that he literally is the first one firing off texts the next day about the game. He’s a good human being.”
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