Everything doesn’t always go as per plan—ask James Paxton. The Boston Red Sox pitcher is currently sidelined from the team and recovering from a brutal calf strain. This is rather unfortunate not just for Paxton, but also for the squad who picked him up from the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this year. He managed only three starts before suffering the injury on August 11, leaving the Red Sox with squad issues and Paxton with a shaky future.

Now on a 60-day injured list, ‘Big Maple’, as he is often called, knows that his chances of returning to the diamond this season and even playing are slim. But, he’s still hopeful and wants to make it on time, because this year it is do or die for him—he is retiring! In a conversation with Bob Bradford on the ‘Baseball isn’t Boring’ podcast, the pitcher broke the news that he plans to retire at the end of the 2024 season. At 35, he’s facing a looming farewell, and his team is grappling with challenges. And whether they can even make it to the playoffs is a big question. But Paxton is hopeful.

James Paxton eyes one last pitch before retirement

After spending 11 precious years in the major league, James Paxton has decided to call it off. He has suffered numerous injuries over the past few years and his recent one might just have been the Achilles’ heel for him. Speaking with WEEI’s Bob Bradford, Paxton said, “I’m hoping that we can squeak into the postseason and I get an opportunity to pitch again. But I think, after this season, I’m going to be retiring and moving on to the next chapter. “It’s tough. Obviously, I think that I can still do it. I can still go out there and compete and help a team win. 

If the Red Sox doesn’t make it to the playoffs, Paxton could probably see his career in baseball ending quite unexpectedly. This year, or rather the last five years, has been difficult for the 35-year-old as he struggled with injuries. From a spinal injury in 2020 to an elbow injury, passing a pandemic, and just making it to a single start in 2021, before going through a Tommy John surgery, and missing 2022 in rehab- he has faced a lot. This year the saga continues, and after being designated for assignment by the Dodgers and traded back to Boston, Paxton managed only three starts, before an injury.

But for Paxton, his retirement is not just because of his injuries, but also because of his family’s needs. He said, “But I just think with where my family’s at and what they need right now, they need me home. I feel the duty and the responsibility to be at home with my family and I’m looking forward to being at home with my family, and spending more time with them, too.” But Paxton does hope that he gets to play one last time before he hangs his cleats. But the Red Sox have a challenge ahead!

Can the Boston Red Sox make it to the playoffs?

The BoSox certainly have their work cut out for them, but then, not all hope is dead. After all, this is a franchise known for big comebacks (remember 2004?). So can the Red Sox find a way to somehow enter the playoffs and give Big Maple his one last hurrah? With a 73-72 record, the Red Sox’s just 1 game behind the Minnesota Twins, and their remaining games are quite winnable. Though Fangraph has given the Red Sox just a 5.9% chance of making it into the playoffs, it’s still much higher than what anyone expected entering this season.

For sure, the way to playoffs isn’t going to be a walk in the park. But if BoSox fights through the challenges, we can see them make it. After all, last year, the Sox weren’t even in contention to make it to the playoffs, and this year—thriving! They need to keep the pace and tough it out with the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles, and lastly and most importantly Minnesota Twins on September 19th. Given that even the Twins are struggling with their runs, the Red Sox have a good chance.

Ultimately, whether James Paxton will get to step on the mound for the last time before retirement depends just not on him, but on his team’s performance. So, he better hope, the team is giving their 100% because anything less from BoSox could shatter the 35-year-old’s dreams. Do you think the Sox will pass through these odds? Let us know!