Xander Bogaerts said he’s ‘looking forward’ to Fenway Park return
Bogaerts won't play due to injury, but will be back in Boston with the Padres.
Xander Bogaerts on his Fenway Park return: In late 2022, Xander Bogaerts opted to leave the Red Sox in free agency for an 11-year, $280 million deal with the Padres. It represented a major loss for Boston, as the infielder had been a key contributor on multiple World Series-winning teams.
For the first time since leaving the Red Sox, Bogaerts is set to be back at Fenway Park for a three-game series against his old team. Of course, due to a shoulder injury that’s landed him on the injured, the 31-year-old won’t play. Yet it will still be a big moment for the four-time All-Star.
“When I go, it should be good. I don’t see why it wouldn’t be nice, why it wouldn’t be special,” Bogaerts told Alex Speier of The Boston Globe in comments from earlier this year in April.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he continued. “I think about it at some times. Listen, I was there a long time — in the big leagues and the minors. I had a lot of people over there that I appreciate, that helped me get a long way in life. So I’m definitely thankful for my time there.”
Following his departure, Bogaerts — who by earlier indications had wanted to stay — was blamed less for the breakup than Red Sox leadership.
“Obviously, you want to be with one team for your whole career, but you’ve seen enough stuff happen with other guys,” Bogaerts told Speier. “It happened [to me]. People went different ways. I’m happy right now. I feel settled.”
Though he said he “didn’t want to get [his] hopes up too high,” Bogaerts remains optimistic about fans’ response.
“Hopefully I get a nice ovation. That would be nice.”
Trivia: Xander Bogaerts is one of seven shortstops in Red Sox history to start at least All-Star game at the position. Can you name the other six?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: The first did so four times in the 1930s and once in the ’40s, the second did so one time in 1946, the third in 1967 and 1969, the fourth in 1971, the fifth in 1977, and the sixth in 1999. Bogaerts himself accomplished the feat in 2016 and 2021.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox begin a three-game series against the Padres at Fenway Park tonight at 7:10 p.m.
Tomorrow, the Free Jacks host Anthem RC at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy at 5 p.m. in the team’s regular season finale.
And also on Saturday, the Revolution face the Columbus Crew at Gillette Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
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Oshae Brissett’s view of the celebrations: Brissett filmed some behind-the-scenes footage of the Celtics’ parade and post-championship celebrations for The Players’ Tribune.
On this day: In 2007, the Celtics — having suffered a disappointing experience at the NBA lottery, ending up with the fifth overall pick despite having the second best odds — traded newly-selected Jeff Green to the SuperSonics in a deal that brought Ray Allen to the Celtics.
Of course, as Boston Globe columnist Peter May correctly surmised, the dealing of Danny Ainge wasn’t done that offseason. A little over a month later, Boston pulled off the deal to acquire Kevin Garnett.
Daily highlight: Here’s a strong candidate for Cape League catch of the year via Phoenix Call of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox on Thursday.
Trivia answer: Joe Cronin, Johnny Pesky, Rico Petricelli, Luis Aparicio, Rick Burleson, Nomar Garciaparra
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