In this final instalment of Sportsnet magazine’s interview with Blue Jays pitcher, David Price, the lefty talks about his love of ice cream, his potential plan to become a Canadian citizen, and what chance he gives himself of being a Toronto Blue Jay next year.
You almost quit baseball in college to go work at McDonald’s. Please explain.
That was blown a little out of proportion. But I did call coach [Tim] Corbin [Price’s coach at Vanderbilt] twice to tell him that I just wanted to go be normal. I wanted to go work at McDonald’s because that’s what my brothers did. It was definitely a good decision to stick with baseball. [Laughs] I’m happy it worked out the way it did.
Are you a total southpaw? Do you brush your teeth and eat with your left hand?
Everything.
Did anyone try to make you switch as a kid?
Nope, not to my knowledge. I’ve always been left-handed.
You grew up in Mufree….
Murfreesboro.
What was your childhood like?
It was fun. Played a lot of sports. I was always in season for somethin’. Once basketball ended it was baseball season, and golf was the in the fall. I was always playing sports and if I was at home I was outside playing football, baseball, basketball, riding my bike. I was always extremely active.
Did you have a scooter?
I didn’t have a scooter back then, but I rode little dirt bikes and stuff like that.
And you had two older brothers. Did they beat you up?
No they were much older. They didn’t really beat me up because that would have been abuse. [Laughs.] They were much older than me. They didn’t have to do much to kind of show their presence.
I hear you have a sweet tooth.
I definitely love sweets.
Do you consume ice cream every day?
Yeah.
What’s your favourite flavour of ice cream?
I love chocolate ice cream. If I could have one desert from a fast food place, it would have to be a Blizzard. I love cookie dough Blizzards. I get those all the time.
Where’s the closest DQ to your place?
Right here, outside the stadium.
That’s dangerous.
I could put weight on quick I’m sure with those.
Do you eat well otherwise?
I eat whatever sounds good, whatever looks good. I don’t calorie-count. I try to get as much food in me as I can and just go work it off.
Your dog, Astro, is famous.
Yeah. He’s a French bulldog, and he’s not named for the Houston Astros. It’s from one of my favourite cartoons growing up, The Jetsons. He turned six in May. He’s been very good to me, and people love him, they eat him up. He’s got a great personality. He conducts himself very well around people.
Is he an energy giver?
He is. He’s absolutely an energy giver.
Was Astro in the car when you got a flat tire driving to Toronto?
No, it was just me. But he would’ve handled it fine. He probably would’ve just been asleep. But I’m sure he would’ve liked to have been on that road trip. He enjoys going on road trips.
He’s in Toronto now?
Mmmhmm.
How does he like it?
From what he tells me, he likes it. [Laughs.]
Well, he has a Twitter account…
I don’t know [who] started that.
Oh, I figured it was you.
No, definitely wasn’t me.
You just turned 30. How are you feeling?
Good. Age is just a number. You’re as old as you tell yourself in your mind, and I tell myself I’m 12.
If you felt bad you could just talk to LaTroy Hawkins. How is he doing what he’s doing at 42?
He’s in better shape than I am. And it’s not just genes; to be able to do what he’s done in the game of baseball for the amount of years that he’s done it, that’s so much hard work and dedication. To me that is unreal. Guys like him and Torii Hunter and guys that spent almost half their lives in the game of baseball–it’s insane to still have the ability that he has out there on the mound. He’s not average; by no means is he average. He’s well above average. And he’s well above league average for age. And that’s beautiful.
Is there any chance you’ll become a Canadian citizen?
A comedian?
No, a Canadian citizen.
I thought I was. I got a worker’s permit, I got my SIN number. S-I-N number or something? I got that.
You have to go through a process and apply. Will you?
I’m sure the fans would love that. I would definitely do it if I was back here next year. I would make sure I had the ceremony on the field. [Laughs]
Perfect. And you’d have to sing the anthem and know every word.
As long as people are singing it with me, I can do it. I would struggle with the national anthem in the States; I can’t say that or pledge the allegiance by myself, but if people are saying it with me I’ll rattle it right off.
What are those tattoos on your wrists?
They say “family first.” I’m a very big family-oriented guy. I have nieces and nephews that are extremely close to me. My parents have been together for 41 years now, so we’ve always been big one family and I just try and be an extension of my parents, and I feel like my parents are two very good people.
Last question. It’s unfair. What percentage chance do you give yourself of being a Blue Jay next season?
I don’t know. [Laughs]
So, 50 per cent?
I have no idea. You’re trying to get me in trouble! I would say the same per cent for every team. Well, I guess the Blue Jays would be ahead. It’s been awesome being here. I would definitely come back here if everything worked out the way we envisioned it.
This interview appears in the current issue of Sportsnet magazine.
