NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 01: Sonny Gray #55 of the New York Yankees speaks to the media prior to a game against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium on August 1, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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After arriving with the New York Yankees in a midseason trade with considerable expectations, one veteran right-hander struggled to establish himself in the Bronx before eventually losing his rotation spot.
His two seasons with New York became a defining low point in a career that otherwise included All-Star appearances and several dominant stretches, including an ongoing resurgence with his former team’s biggest historic rival.
The Yankees ultimately moved on, but before this season began, that polarizing pitcher made it very clear that he has not.
Former New York Yankees Pitcher’s Resurgence Comes At Perfect Time
Addressing the media after he joined the Boston Red Sox in the offseason, Sonny Gray was clear that he held some hard feelings for the Yankees following a harsh tenure there.
“It just wasn’t a good situation for me,” Gray told reporters at the time, per ESPN. “It wasn’t a great setup for me and my family. I never wanted to go there in the first place.”
Gray added that he was looking forward to chances to pitch against his former team with their hated rival.
“What did factor into my decision to come to Boston — it feels good to me to go to a place now where, you know what, it’s easy to hate the Yankees,” he said, grabbing headlines in New York City as an outspoken antagonist of his former team.
With Boston, Gray, 36, has delivered one of the best seasons of his career in his first year. Through 26 starts, he entered the final weeks of the regular season with a 17- 5 record, a 2.76 ERA, 140 strikeouts and a 1.16 WHIP across more than 156 innings.
New York Yankees Villain Sends Sudden Retirement Message Amid Renaissance
Even as Gray uncovers his best for with the Yankees’ rival, he made it clear that he would be open to retiring at any time, including this winter when he returns to free agency.
“I’ll be done in a heartbeat,” the pitcher told The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, when explaining how quickly he would end his career when his family asks him to.
The veteran pitcher also spoke of his ongoing Red Sox season as one he would be happy to end his career with.
“We’ll see what the future holds for me,” Gray added. “But if this is it, no better way to go out and try to do something special here the next couple months.”
For a pitcher who once endured a frustrating chapter in New York, finishing his career by leading Boston into October would offer a remarkable final act.
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