Gamecock great, World Series MVP Steve Pearce announces retirement
Less than two years after being named the 2018 World Series MVP, Steve Pearce is calling it a career.
Pearce, who won the MVP as a member of the Red Sox and played for Boston again in 2019, announced the news during an appearance on WEEI — a sports radio station in Boston.
Pearce finishes his career with a .254 batting average over 13 seasons. He had 91 home runs and 303 RBIs.
“You know what? It has been a good run. I have 10 years in there. Right now I am officially retired,” he said.
In addition to announcing his retirement, Pearce also discussed the notion that the Red Sox used the video replay room illegally in 2018, calling the accusations “a joke.”
“When it came out we were all kind of joking about it. We just want this to pass us,” Pearce said. “We won it fair and square. Whatever they accused us of, we were all kind of like, ‘I can’t believe this is even an issue.’ Once the report comes out we’re all going to be free.”
Before beginning his professional baseball career, Pearce starred at South Carolina in 2004 and 2005.
He hit .346 with 21 home runs and 70 RBIs for the Gamecocks as a junior, leading to Pearce being drafted by the Red Sox in the 10th round. But rather than signing a pro contract, Pearce opted to return to USC for his senior season, despite no longer having leverage.
Pearce had another monster year for the Gamecocks in 2005, hitting .358 with 21 homers and 68 RBIs. He was drafted by the Pirates in the eighth round of the 2005 MLB draft.
This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 11:23 AM.
