Ryan Dempster, 37, a veteran of 16 Major League seasons doesn't regret taking the 2014 campaign off.

A father of three, Dempster, who won a World Series with the Boston Red Sox last fall, announced in February that he would take the year off to focus on his health and family.

"(You learn) just how fast kids grow up," Dempster said. "When you're playing baseball you're gone for a week, and when you're home, you're busy the whole time. I got to chase my goals for a long time and now I get to watch my kids chase theirs."

Dempster is totally at peace with his decision.

"Fortunately, I haven't missed it," Dempster said. "Not yet. With the way things ended with the World Series, I don't feel like I'm missing it. Hopefully I don't ever get that feeling."