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Red Sox David Price Needed Big Papi Lovin’

By Brandon Nickel

May 30, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) is hit by a pitch from Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price (14) during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) is hit by a pitch from Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price (14) during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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All you need is love. Apparently Boston Red Sox ace pitcher David Price would agree, after being embraced by designated hitter David Ortiz.

Rick Weber of ESPN reported that Price said that he “still can’t believe how cool it was to clear the air with Big Papi. ‘I didn’t know what to expect,’ Price said Tuesday morning of his Monday clubhouse meeting with David Ortiz. ‘He told me he had my back. It started with a handshake and ended with a hug, so it couldn’t have went any better.'”

Price went on to say in the interview by radio station WEEI, “It was something, I might not have shown it, but it’s something I thought about extremely often […] ‘What do I do when I see him?’ I didn’t know. I was just in limbo.“

The interview made it out like a giant weight had been taken off of Price’s shoulders. The two players had a dark past, when Price, while playing for the Tampa Bay Rays, threw at Ortiz and both men had choice words for the other in a very public spat through the media. Now, it looks like all has been resolved.

One could argue that Price didn’t need that embrace from Ortiz, considering Big Papi only hits and Price is on the mound. However, the concept of team chemistry is not a myth. It may get overused, but it does exist.

Put yourself in Price’s shoes: a team actually was willing to pay your seven-year contract for $217 million; you sign to work inside Fenway Park, a media pressure cooker for baseball players; and, a man who outweighs you by 20 pounds and known for his power may still hold a grudge against you. That man is also the face of the franchise that you just agreed to join. A man beloved by almost everyone in the entire state because of the countless times he has put the team on his back. A man who almost single-handedly defeated the archrivals the New York Yankees, when down three games in the playoffs. A man who did it again in 2013, when the team and the city itself needed a leader to overcome adversity, in baseball and through the Boston Marathon tragedy.

If there was another altercation, is anyone at all coming to your rescue in any fashion?

By hugging Price with a huge smile on his face, Ortiz put the troubles aside and gave his stamp of approval for all of Red Sox Nation to recognize and obey, like a king over his kingdom. Thou shalt not begrudge Mr. Price.

Next: Red Sox David Ortiz Wants Yankee Stadium To Stand Up

At least, not until the playoffs. Between his solid regular season record and Ortiz’s hug, Price will feel relieved in Boston. Then, in October, we will see if Price still feels the weight or if he is all smiles past November with Boston’s fourth World Series in 12 years.

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