Ladner native James Paxton is heading back to Boston.
On Friday, it was announced the veteran Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher was acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a trade.
The 35-year-old left-hander was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on July 22. He had signed with the Dodgers as a free agent in the off season after being the Red Sox the previous year.
He had spent 11 seasons in the majors, also with the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees, having a 72-40 record as a starter, but also dealing with injuries along the way.
The “Big Maple” was named American League Pitcher of the Month for June 2023 with the Red Sox.
In 2018, Paxton has become just the second Canadian-born pitcher in the history of MLB to throw a no-hitter. That game happened against the Toronto Blue Jays.
In an interview with the Optimist that year, Ari Mellios, who coached Paxton from 2004 to 2006 with the North Delta Blue Jays, said Paxton even at a young age demonstrated an incredible work ethic and leadership.
"He was one of the best pitchers I've ever coached and I've been very fortunate to coach Jeff Francis as well, who played 10 years in the big leagues," he said. "But James just had tremendous talent and was a treat to watch pitch for those three years," he said.
