We spoke a week ago about the prospective Joe Kelly/Mookie Betts/Knox Kelly reunion that is now officially happening. We did not speak about the Joe Kelly/David Price reunion. Because we didn’t know that was happening. It’s happening. We will now speak about it.
David Price and Joe Kelly go way back. Lived in a house together for Spring Training one time. Like to engage in pranks with one another (hat tip: a Boston Magazine interview with our hero from 2018):
Who’s the biggest prankster in the Sox clubhouse?
We’re not really pulling pranks lately.
No?
Probably David Price. He does little stuff here and there, not major pranks. He’ll hide stuff in my shoes, he’ll hide stuff in my backpack. I’m like, “Dude, when did you do that?” And he’s like, “Did you find it?” He’ll do stuff like that, so I’ll probably say David Price.
It’s a bigger reunion than we previously thought, but it makes sense. Joe Kelly’s body faded at the end of last season, unable to carry such a potent spiritual and physical force through to the finish line. It was understandable, but disappointing nonetheless, and it made a pressing offseason question for the Dodgers of how to take the burden off the body of their transcendent talent. The answer? Give him his supporting cast back. Bring Gandalf back to Frodo. Give O.J. the keys to the old Bronco. Sign Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman to the 1994 Birmingham Barons.
Andrew Friedman gets it. He gets what our hero needs to operate at his peak. And what our hero needs is little trinkets and other gifts from David Price in his locker, like my mom coming home to find the chipmunk Barnaby left on the stoop when I was four.
