A World Series MVP and the Cotuit Connection

By Roy Reiss and Jonny Miller of WBZ Radio
February 23, 2019

Imagine the thoughts that rush through your mind as you stand on a make shift platform at Dodger Stadium a late October night after you’ve just been named the World Series Most Valuable Player.

You’re a 35 year old baseball journeyman who’s been on 7 different major league teams  over your 12 year career. There have been many speed bumps along the way. The memories flash by awfully quickly as you soak in what this magical moment means after you helped the Boston Red Sox, your boyhood favorite team, to their 4th world championship.

You started the journey in high school in Lakeland, Florida, before moving on to the University of South Carolina. Then there was that wonderful summer on Cape Cod, in that little hamlet known as Cotuit. “I’ve got so many memories of that summer 15 years ago, but the one thing that stands out was the relationship formed with my host family, Anne and Dave Nastasi of Centerville,” said a relaxed Steve Pearce as he turned back the clock at the Red Sox Spring Training headquarters in Fort Myers, Florida.

You’ve just flown in to T.F. Greene Airport in Providence and were welcomed by Dave Nastasi. “It just seemed to click from day one,” added Pearce as he recalled that first meeting. “The whole family, the three kids along with Anne and Dave made me feel like family. They helped me adjust to everything in a new surrounding and made it so easy for me. And of course I remember teaching the kids how to play whiffle ball in their back yard. You don’t forget times like that and I’ve stayed in touch with the family ever since. The Cape baseball was fun, but it was the relationship that has been most important over the years.”

Some fifteen years later Pearce signed a one year contract with the Red Sox to be a member of the 2019 team that hopes to win back to back championships. His role is a right handed platoon player who splits time at first base with Mitch Moreland. “Mitch and I feed off each other, if he’s not in the lineup, I’ll be ready to go and it works the other way as well,” explained Pearce.

One of the benefits for Pearce being with the Red Sox from the start of the 2019 season is the opportunity to share the experience with that host family this coming summer. “It’s going to be great having the Nastasis come to Fenway Park and be a part of my amazing baseball journey,” stated Pearce.