There's always a weird, pushy fan or something similar to provide a stark reminder that life in the spotlight has its pitfalls.David Price — former Vanderbilt pitching star and current member of the Tampa Bay Rays — is quick to acknowledge that his is a good life. Real good. West End condo in Nashville, and a similar residence in Florida. Ultra high-end automobile. Fine dining, when he so chooses.

Not only does he readily embrace all that is available to a 24-year-old professional athlete who is regarded almost universally as a Major League Baseball star-in-the-making, he makes no apologies for doing so.

Likewise, he accepts all the responsibilities as well as the trappings that go along with his current state of affairs — such as the guy in the black, hooded sweatshirt.

"Last year when we were in Philadelphia, a teammate and I were going to Ruth's Chris and two guys ran after our cab for about three miles," Price says. "Then one of the guys tried to sit with us at our table. The manager came up and asked, 'Are you expecting a third to your party?' I was like, 'No.' He said, 'I didn't think so.' When he went back up there the guy had already run out the door.

"He was in black sweatpants and a black hoodie and he just wanted to get my autograph. ... That was a little weird."

In a way, it also was a perfect reminder for Price that darkness is never far behind someone in his position.

In the last year, former Tennessee Titans' quarterback Steve McNair was murdered, and the world's most famous golfer, Tiger Woods, was exposed as a serial philanderer. Mark McGwire and Alex Rodriquez admitted that they gave into the temptation of performance-enhancing drugs.

"I can definitely see how it can happen," he says. "Absolutely. ... I'm not going to get caught up in anything like that."

Project 14

Price says he counters the ability to pay virtually any price for something by limiting his free time. In the first month following the 2009 season, which effectively was his first as a full-time Major League pitcher, he says‚ he could recall maybe two instances when he was by himself and not surrounded by people and noise and activity.

During the season he focuses daily on his job, whether he is the starting pitcher in that day's game or whether his task is simply to work out. In the other months, he trains at Vanderbilt, where he was the most decorated baseball player in school history, with other former Commodores, most of whom currently toil in the minor leagues.

Then there is his foundation, Project 14, which was created with a simple mission — to help children in Middle Tennessee and in the Tampa area in whatever way is needed.

Each month during the offseason, the foundation holds an event designed to raise money and awareness. Price is on hand at each one, with the exception of a 2008 golf event in Murfreesboro, which took place while he and the Rays were still involved in the World Series.

It is the most obvious piece of evidence that Price does not intend to squander his riches. Instead, he intends to strengthen the communities in which he lives and works with the ever-increasing value of his time and name.

There are currently children in Murfreesboro who stuff books each day into backpacks that were donated by the foundation. Children in Eagleville learn on computers donated last fall. There are other examples as well, as every dime that comes into the foundation goes out in the form of contributions.

Money ball

Money never has been an issue for David Price. That was true long before he signed an $11.25 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. Whenever he needed it, he earned it. Then he spent it and earned some more when the need again arose.

"If I didn't have money, I would ask my mom if I could clean the house for an hour and she'd give me $20," he says. "I used to do that all the time. The same thing with cutting the grass or things like that. I would try to always do something to have a little money in my pocket."

It took more than an hour or so cleaning the kitchen for him to reach the tax bracket in which he currently resides. In fact, he resisted the initial urge for the quick grab and decided to wait three years to cash in on his potential.

He was a multi-sport athlete at Murfreesboro's Blackman High School — a deadeye shooter on the basketball court in the winter, a hard-throwing pitcher and slick-fielding left-handed shortstop in the spring — when Major League Baseball scouts took note.

More than one team planned to open the vaults for him in the 2003 draft, but he had decided months earlier he was going to play college baseball at Vanderbilt. In the days prior to the draft, his outgoing message made clear his plans. In short, he told professional baseball representatives not to even bother with leaving a voicemail. He wasn't going to return their calls.

He honored his college commitment, and before long his financial goals changed slightly. In what has become a widely told story, his frustration over initial struggles led him to tell Commodores' coach Tim Corbin that he planned to quit school and go to work at McDonald's.

Three years later, he was a consensus All-America selection and the first player taken in the draft. Within months, he signed what at the time was the richest rookie contract in the sport's history,

"I'm enjoying life right now," Price says. "I like nice things, and if I want it bad enough I'm going to go get it. I'm 24 and I'm living the dream. I'm not going to sell myself short."

Life is short

The guy in the black, hooded sweatshirt was a momentary ripple in the life Price enjoys so much. There have been other events, though, which have left a much more lasting impact on his psyche and have not allowed him to develop any sense of indestructibility.

Last spring, a tornado ripped through Price's hometown and caused significant damage. Coincidentally, that was the day his parents moved into their new home, the one with the trophy case dedicated to David's athletic career not far inside the front door.

Bonnie Price, David's father, was loading boxes into the car that day and basically watched as the tornado came near, drew back up into the clouds and dropped down for more devastation not too far away.

More emotionally wrenching news had hit Price earlier.

Nathan Stephens passed away on a recreational basketball court at the University of Tennessee in August 2007, and the following April, Tyler Morrissey perished in a car accident. Both were longtime friends of Price.

"Nathan and Tyler — I lost both in a matter of six months," he says. "They were two of my best friends. ... Nobody is promised to be here until their 60s or 70s."

Thus he promises himself and those close to him that he will take full advantage of his time in the spotlight, regardless of how long his career lasts.

"Everything I do is under a magnifying glass," Price says. "I think that makes my decisions a whole lot easier. Stuff that I do, some kid who's 8 years old might want to see and might want to do, and it might not be the best thing for an 8-year-old.

"It's a lot easier knowing that everything is going to be looked at on a bigger scale."

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