How Rafael Devers feels about being compared with a pair of Red Sox legends
Only two players in Red Sox history reached 150 career home runs faster than Devers.
Tonight at 7:30 p.m., the Celtics host the 76ers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The best-of-seven series is tied 2-2.
The Red Sox begin a three-game series in Atlanta. First pitch is set for 7:20 p.m.
Also tonight, the Revolution host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in a U.S. Open Cup game also at 7:30 p.m.
Rafael Devers discussed historical comparisons: During the 11-5 Red Sox win over the Blue Jays on May 4, Rafael Devers smashed a two-run home run in the eighth inning to help break the game open in an eventual Boston win.
The home run was also notable as it was the 150th of Devers’s young but already impressive career.
The 26-year-old, who made his MLB debut in 2017, currently leads the American League with 11 home runs. The latest career milestone also put him in elite Red Sox company: Devers was the third fastest player to reach 150 home runs in team history.
Only two players were able to do it in fewer games: Ted Williams and Jim Rice.
“It’s cool to be mentioned with those names any time,” Devers recently told MLB.com’s Ian Browne regarding Williams and Rice. “This is a franchise that I want to spend the rest of my career with, and to keep putting more numbers up along the way is great, and it’s always good to be mentioned with those two.”
And despite the increased level of player movement in the modern game, Devers stands a chance of playing his entire career in Boston (as Williams and Rice did).
He signed a 10-year contract extension prior to the season, a big step for both the team and the player in securing their respective futures.
Though his main priority is helping his team win, Devers admitted that he aspires to keep building on his individual statistics as well.
“You know, as a baseball player, everyone dreams of being up there in the rankings,” he told Browne. “And hopefully, I have that kind of career.”
Of course, Devers still has some work to do if he hopes to one day break the all-time Red Sox home run record. That mark is held by Williams (521), and he’s still 371 away.
Trivia: David Ortiz accounted for two of the three highest single-season home run totals in Red Sox history (he holds the No. 1 and No. 3 spots). Can you name the player who ranks second on that list?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He hit 50 home runs in 1938, winning his third MVP that season.
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An odd impression: The Savannah Bananas recreated the Chiefs’ “snow globe” play.
The 2023 NHL lottery: Chicago ended up with the No. 1 overall pick. Anaheim and Columbus will pick second and third, respectively.
On this day: In 2010, the Celtics tied up the Eastern Conference semifinals against LeBron James and the Cavaliers at 2-2 with a 97-87 win in Game 4. Rajon Rondo ran the show for Boston, scoring 29 points, collecting 18 rebounds, and contributing 13 assists (along with two steals). It was a masterful display from the Celtics’ point guard.
Boston went on to win the next two games, clinching the series. It would prove to be James’s final game in his first stint in Cleveland before the infamous “decision.”
Daily highlight: Brenton Doyle covered some ground before making a diving catch in the Rockies’ eventual loss to the Pirates on Monday.
Trivia answer: Jimmie Foxx
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