Oct 20 2008
The Price is Right - Maddon’s Trust Leads to World Series and More
Price vaulted himself into the national spotlight Sunday night. Photo: Getty Images
Needing four outs to punch their ticket to their first World Series in franchise history, Rays Manager Joe Maddon had a difficult choice. Having already used beleaguered closer Dan Wheeler and lefty J.P. Howell, he had veteran Chad Bradford in the game, flamethrower Grant Balfour and rookie David Price.
Maddon went with Price and the rest is history. Riding his electric fastball and solid command, Price was able to strike out J.D. Drew with the bases loaded and struck out Mark Kotsay and Jason Varitek in the ninth en route to his first career save.
While the immediate implications of his performance put the Rays into the World Series,the move should also prove to be one that helps Prices career moving forward. Expected to be in the rotation next season Price will from now on be able to call upon this outing whenever things aren’t going well. The confidence that he can draw from game seven will only add to his already substantial maturity on the mound.
Expect to see Price used more and more in the World Series against Philadelphia, possibly in the closer role which Wheeler, Howell and Balfour weren’t able to lock down in te ALCS. Along with Evan Longoria and BJ Upton, Price’s future in Tampa Bay looks very bright.
