Former World Series MVP Pearce retires, injured most of 2019

BOSTON (AP) — Steve Pearce, the career journeyman who broke loose to become the unlikely MVP of the 2018 World Series, says he’s done playing after an injury-plagued season for the Boston Red Sox.

“You know what? It has been a good run. I have 10 years in there. Right now I am officially retired,” Pearce said.

Pearce made the announcement Monday night on WEEI while the Boston radio station aired a replay of the 2018 World Series opener between the Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. He homered and hit a three-run double in Game 4, then homered twice the next day as the Red Sox took title.

Pearce, who turned 37 on Monday, was hurt most of last season and didn’t play after May 31. He became a free agent after the season.

Overall, he played on seven major league teams -- all five clubs in the AL East, plus Pittsburgh and Houston. He hit .254 with 91 homers in 766 games over 13 seasons, primarily as an outfielder and first baseman.

“What Steve did for us in ’18 was pretty incredible,” Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said Tuesday on a conference call. “From the first game he played he fit in great. His personality worked really well. And what he did on the field was outstanding.”

Pearce hit just .180 with one home run and nine RBIs in 29 games last season. He began the year on the injured list with a calf strain and later was sidelined by back and knee trouble.

Pearce’s path to glory came in the summer of 2018 when Toronto traded him to Boston for a minor league infielder. He played 50 games for the Red Sox in the regular season and reached base in each of his 12 postseason games.

In the World Series, he went 4 for 12 with three homers, drove in eight runs and scored five. The performance helped Pearce earn a one-year contract worth $6.25 million.

.

..

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Former-World-Series-MVP-Pearce-retires-injured-15200597.php