There are other connections to Boston for Gray. At Vanderbilt, he pitched for head coach Tim Corbin, who was born in New Hampshire and still has New England roots. While at Vanderbilt, Gray roomed with Mike Yastrzemski, grandson of Red Sox great Carl Yastrzemski, and the younger Yastrzemski remains one of his closest friends.

All-Star pitcher Sonny Gray waived his no-trade clause to join the Boston Red Sox from the St. Louis Cardinals last week.