Red Sox Journal: David Price Makes $2.5M Contribution to Vanderbilt Baseball

Aug 25, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price (24) looks on during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price (24) looks on during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price will give back in a big way to his alma mater, will give $2.5 million to support baseball facilities at Vanderbilt University.

Red Sox starting pitcher David Price is giving some major cash to his former school.  Vanderbilt University announced Friday that the former student-athlete is contributing $2.5 million to support the baseball facilities project.   The gift will complete the school’s $12 million fundraising effort.

"“Student-athletes who go on to achieve success and represent the university in the exemplary manner as David Price has are a testament to the truly special program Vanderbilt has developed under Coach Tim Corbin’s leadership. It’s not just that some of baseball’s greatest players have emerged from Vanderbilt.“These amazing young men also continue to value and honor our university community in many important ways,” Vanderbilt Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos said in a press conference. “I am deeply grateful to David and his fellow donors for their generosity and for, yet again, making our Commodore Nation so proud.”"

More from Boston Red Sox

The new facility is estimated at 30,000 square feet and will house open air batting cages, a weight room and cardio areas.  It will also have a new locker room for former players that will offer an improved space for offseason training.

As an established and celebrated pitcher, Price’s contribution is a recognition and appreciation of where he came from and will help in a major way in shaping the careers of current Vanderbilt players and future MLB stars.

"“I would not be where I am today, as a person or as a player, without the guidance, education and support I received from Coach Corbin and from Vanderbilt,” Price said. “I am honored to be part of this project, which will support the current players and also provide a place that allows us all to come back to campus and stay in touch and involved with the program.”"

Construction for the project will begin in May and is scheduled for completion near the end of the 2017 season.

Top Boston athlete newcomer

Despite a frustrating start and ending to the 2016 season, David Price was named the top Boston athlete newcomer by the Boston Globe during their annual “Globies” award show held on Monday.

The $217 million man finished the season with a 17-9 season and a mediocre (for him) 3.99 ERA.  He allowed a major league-high 227 hits and through most the season wasn’t the ace pitcher the team expected.  Price did show a glimpse of the pitcher he has been during a stretch late in the season in which the Red Sox secured the AL East title.

Next: Boston Celtics Isaiah Thomas Deserves More Respect

He has hopes of bouncing back to elite status in the upcoming 2017 season.