Una estrella de $280 millones de los Padres se prepara para jugar con los Red Sox
Prior to Friday’s match, Bogaerts was spotted having meetings on the field with Sam Kennedy, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Alex Cora.
On Friday, Xander Bogaerts entered Fenway Park for the first time as a San Diego Padre.
The former starting shortstop for Boston will miss this weekend’s game against the Red Sox while he heals from a shoulder fracture he suffered last month. Nevertheless, Bogaerts, who spent the first ten years of his MLB career playing in Boston, decided to travel back to his former haunts with his teammates.
Speaking with reporters prior to Friday’s game, the 31-year-old was questioned about his decision to sign a big 11-year, $280 million contract with the Padres in December 2022 after leaving the Red Sox.
Bogaerts declared, “I’m happy and I feel like they’re happy too.” To be honest, I’m thrilled with the choice I made. One of the nicest cities you can live in is San Diego.
In addition, he stated that despite his decision to go with another team two offseasons ago, he still has love for the Red Sox.
“I sincerely appreciate them. I actually don’t have any negative thoughts toward players, coaches, or front office because they have all always been incredibly kind to my family and me,” the man stated.
On Friday, Bogaerts reconnected with president Sam Kennedy and manager Alex Cora during batting practice. Before the game, Bogaerts also spoke with Ceddanne Rafaela, the current shortstop and center fielder for the Red Sox. Both Bogaerts and Rafaela are from the islands of Aruba and Curaçao, which are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
According to Bogaerts, he and Rafaela were messaging the other day and conversing with one another. Bogaerts gave the 23-year-old high marks for his strong start to the season.
“Dude, he got it.” In a nutshell, it’s elite. Many males wouldn’t be able to claim to be capable of doing that, he claimed. “I believe that patience is key with him when he hits. He will undoubtedly get better the more he plays and the more he understands the strike zone. He definitely has a lot of potential and works hard. He is mentally sound.
Like Rafaela, Bogaerts signed with the Red Sox as an international free agent in 2009, when he was just 16 years old. After being called up to the majors in 2013, he established himself as one of the team’s faces for the following ten years.
Despite his long history with the Red Sox, Bogaerts didn’t imagine that Thursday while strolling around Boston, spectators would still be unfamiliar with him. He said they disproved him.
“It was insane when I was strolling around yesterday,” Bogaerts remarked. It’s as if I didn’t anticipate having so many people remember me. That was kind of cool, actually.
During Friday’s game, the Red Sox played a video tribute to Bogaerts, and Boston fans showered their 2018 World Series champion shortstop with applause.
