BOSTON — Red Sox players enjoyed an off day in San Diego last year (May 18) before beginning a three-game series against the Padres and former teammate Xander Bogaerts.
Bogaerts invited Rafael Devers out to dinner but Devers ended up paying the bill because Bogaerts misplaced his wallet.
This year, Bogaerts and the Padres enjoyed an off day in Boston. They spent Thursday here before their three-game series at Fenway Park, which begins Friday. Bogaerts and Devers again spent time together.
“We had like a cookout at his place,” Bogaerts said. “We had friends and family over and stuff like that … He paid. He paid for the meat.”
Bogaerts is back at Fenway Park for the first time since signing an 11-year, $280-million contract with San Diego in December 2022. He won’t play though because he’s on the injured list with a shoulder fracture.
“That does suck because it’s one you had marked on your calendar (before the injury) looking forward to,” Bogaerts said. “I was hoping maybe I’d be available. … It does suck but at least I’m here. I can still watch baseball games. It will be different. I’m definitely looking forward to the atmosphere and seeing our guys and also their guys competing.”
BetMGM BET UP TO $1,500! BONUS BET REFUND AFTER A LOSS
STATES: AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA. Visit BetMGM.com for Terms and Conditions. 21 years of age or older to wager. MA Only. New Customer Offer. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable bonus bets. Bonus bets expire 7 days from issuance. In Partnership with MGM Springfield. Play it smart from the start with GameSense. GameSenseMA.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org. US Promotional Offers not available in New York.
The Red Sox are expected to play a tribute video on the Jumbotron during Friday’s game.
“I was here so long and I have a lot of memories. A lot of good ones. Also bad ones, tough ones. But I feel like there were a lot more good than bad,” Bogaerts said. “Maybe being able to be on the bench isn’t the worst thing. I could probably have more time to reflect on stuff that I did while I was here, the people that helped me get to where I am right now.”
Bogaerts said Devers is “the same guy” off the field as he was when they were teammates. He’s proud of what his ex-teammate is doing on the field, too.
“Nothing surprises me with him to be honest,” Bogaerts said. “I’ve seen that for so long with him. Special talent, special kid. He seems to get better every year. Obviously a lot of talk is on his defense but I feel like that’s improved. The offense with him is always steady. You know what you’re going to get.”
Bogaerts said he walked around Boston on Thursday.
“It was crazy,” Bogaerts said. “I wasn’t expecting so many people to say hello.”
The 31-year-old spoke about having no regrets about his decision to sign with the Padres.
“I’m happy and I feel like they’re happy also,” Bogaerts said. “I’m very happy with the decision I made.”
He called being on the other side “different.”
“I came in a different entrance,” he said. “I’m used to coming in on the Red Sox’ side. But now it’s the visitor’s side. Everything’s kind of new for me now being on the other side. So just different.”
Bogaerts was batting .219 with a .265 on-base percentage, .316 slugging percentage, .581 OPS, four homers, six doubles, 14 RBIs, 23 runs, 12 walks and 40 strikeouts in 47 games (200 plate appearances) before suffering his fracture.
“Just to have him here and just talk about how things are going, how things are going here and talk about family is always good,” manager Alex Cora said Friday. “He’s a special kid. The way he handles himself, the way he goes about his business, is up there with the best of them. And I know he cares about the Red Sox. He cares about the organization. And he cares about me, which is very important for me. I’m happy that he’s here. Hopefully, people today acknowledge that and give him a big standing ovation because of what he did here since 2013 all the way to ‘22. He represents a lot — not only on the field but off the field.”
