By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Saturday, July 16, 2011
ST. PETERSBURG — As Rays left-hander David Price was battling the Red Sox on Friday night, he couldn't help but think about his best friend, who was fighting for his life at the same time.
Terry Wanthalangsy, who went to Blackman (Tenn.) High with Price and has lived with him in Tampa, underwent brain surgery Friday afternoon to remove a tumor from the left side of his brain.
Price might have picked up the win in the 9-6 victory over Boston with a strong six-inning performance, but the best news he got came afterward, when he saw a text message from his friend's mom that said doctors successfully "got it all."
Price's mind wandered to Wanthalangsy throughout the game Friday night.
"It's kind of tough not to think about your best friend having brain surgery," Price said. "He did good, though."
Price did well on the mound, allowing just three runs (on three solo homers) and five hits. He was relatively pleased with his outing, though he was disappointed in the three homers, which tied a career high, and that he went only six innings on 121 pitches. He could have pitched longer had it not been for Red Sox rightfielder Darnell McDonald, who worked a 12-pitch at-bat in the fourth inning, fouling off seven consecutive pitches.
"That guy hits everything I throw," Price said, smiling.
Rays manager Joe Maddon praised Price for his "plan of attack" and how he used all his pitches well. But at the end of the day, it all seemed trivial compared to the fact everything went well with Wanthalangsy; Price had tried to gather some support earlier in the day on Twitter. "Everyone pray for my best friend right now," Price tweeted. "He needs us all right now."
And after a four-hour surgery, which Price said ended about an hour before the Rays game did, it appeared those prayers were answered.
Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.
Steve Coogan Roy Hodgson Terrorism policy UK security and terrorism Women Road trips
No comments:
Post a Comment