The Last Word: David Price

One of Major League Baseball’s most dominant pitchers, David Price has left a lasting impact in every city he’s called home throughout his career. From Tampa, Detroit and Toronto to his most recent MLB stop in Boston, the lefty ace has disappointed scores of opposing batters with every start. We sat down with the 30-year-old southpaw and 2012 Cy Young winner during his visit to Montreal earlier this season to discuss everything from his career on the diamond to his secret passion for hockey and the Habs.

Two years ago, Carey Price took some photos in your jersey in your clubhouse while you were on the mound for the Rays at the same time. Did you know who he was back then?

DAVID PRICE: Of course I did. I remember when I got back to the clubhouse, our PR guy with the Rays told me to go see my locker and I saw a signed Carey Price jersey hanging in there. I couldn’t believe it! When I heard that he wanted one of my jerseys, I gave him the first one I could find.

We heard that last year when you were in Toronto, you guys were playing NHL 15 all the time in the clubhouse. Were you as good at playing hockey with a video game controller as you are on the mound with your glove? Who was your favorite victim on the team?

DP: I would say so. We had a lot of good players in Toronto. Mark Lowe was pretty good, and Brett Cecil really improved his game. In fact, I think that’s the only thing he did during the offseason because he used to be hands-down the worst. (laughs) But he beat me pretty good a couple times this winter. We had a lot of guys in the clubhouse who played NHL. We used to play coming back from road games. Everybody would come over to my room around 2 or 3 in the morning and it was a lot of fun.

Have you ever laced up the skates?

DP: I did when I was younger and I definitely enjoyed it. I did a lot of roller-blading, but that was definitely different. I remember one time when I was around 11 or 12 years old, we were skating for fun at the rink and they called everyone off the ice so they could Zamboni the ice. Right before we went back on the ice, I told my mom the game plan: she would have to head to the opposite end of the rink and wait for me. I would skate one full lap around the ice before hitting the breaks, jokingly snowing her in the process. So as soon as the Zamboni was finished, I was going to be the first one who jumped on the fresh ice. When the ice was ready, I started my lap, but when I started hitting the breaks my skate just went “whomp” and I landed right on my chin and earned myself eight stitches. I can still feel the scar today. That’s the last time I tried skating, but it’s definitely something I’d like to try again.

Are you a hockey fan? We’ve seen you tweet about the Preds in the past.

DP: I’ve become a hockey fan over the past couple years. I play a lot of NHL on my console. So I’m definitely familiar with NHL players like Carey Price. Even though I’m in Boston now, I like to play as the Habs because you need a strong goalie to win. If not, you’d better be able to score a lot of goals.

Were you aware that by signing with the Red Sox, you were getting yourself …

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