It could be quite some time before the Boston Red Sox franchise concludes its discussions surrounding Rafael Devers.
Following a five-month period of turmoil concerning the Red Sox, culminating nearly a month later in a transaction sending him to the San Francisco Giants, Red Sox commentator Will Flemming revisited a past event. He recounted an occasion when the team’s first baseman reportedly failed to attend a coaching session with Giants legend Will Clark.
Here’s what he expressed during a radio appearance on WEEI on Monday:
“They anticipate that he will secure division titles and deliver a significant number of — undoubtedly, he will hit home runs. However, the full extent of the player’s capabilities remains to be seen. I was present on the second day. Will Clark was available to practice ground balls with him at first base, but Rafi did not appear. This is the individual they have been managing for an extended period.”
These are not exactly words you would utter about someone you hold in high regard for their dedication.
Flemming suggested that he was referencing a story he had heard via Clark himself on his show “Deuces Wild” from the previous week. Indeed, if Clark is credible, the former Gold Glove recipient stated that Devers was a no-show for him on not just one, but three successive days during a series early in the 28-year-old’s San Francisco tenure:
“I made an early appearance for three consecutive days — Friday, Saturday, Sunday — to train with [Devers] around first base … Matt Williams and Bob Melvin requested that I train with him there. No problem. We weren’t planning on any physical training. … And on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, he did not come out early at all. Absolutely not.”
However, Flemming seemingly omitted Clark’s belief that Devers avoided those sessions because they would have been within earshot of the Red Sox dugout during their series at Oracle Park that weekend:
“People were saying, ‘Oh my God, Will, I’m so sorry.’ I responded, ‘Don’t worry about it. I know what the f*** happened.’ I suggested he was reluctant to be 20 feet from their dugout, given what transpired in Boston, and now he’s training with me at first base. He wished to avoid the media attention. So I completely understand. But Rafael Devers, when I next visit San Francisco, you will be on the field at first base.”
The atmosphere was strained during that Red Sox-Giants series, which occurred shortly after Devers’ departure from Boston. A major event after the trade was Devers expressing his willingness to switch to first base, a position change he had previously rejected when asked in Boston. The trade was about more than just a position, and Devers’ quick concession of the hot corner to Gold Glove winner Matt Chapman in San Francisco largely affirmed this.
Flemming adopted a significantly different approach a day later concerning Devers, attributing the responsibility of his story to Clark and asserting he was not attempting to force an opinion or narrative.
Rafael Devers continues to be a frequent subject for Boston Red Sox news outlets. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Lachlan Cunningham via Getty Images)
It’s noteworthy that despite Devers’ purported reluctance to practice with Clark due to the proximity to the Red Sox, he was indeed practicing grounders in that area on the day of the series opener, as he had been all week.
Clearly, Devers’ image in Boston is permanent. Flemming might declare he holds no animosity towards Devers, yet there’s a reason he readily presented that account a week after Clark disclosed it and a month after it occurred. His listeners would be eager to hear such a story, particularly if Devers encounters similar difficulties in San Francisco, as the aforementioned narrative implies.
You can determine for yourself if Clark’s provided reason for Devers’ absence is plausible, considering he was still participating in ground ball practice around that time.
The intricacies of the split have been extensively examined, and both parties have expressed sentiments that cannot be withdrawn. Consequently, there is little else to discuss. Devers’ primary concern now lies with the Giants, for whom he has amassed a .240/.348/.387 slash line in 20 games thus far.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/breaking-news/article/red-sox-broadcaster-clarifies-comments-after-saying-rafael-devers-skipped-first-base-workouts-with-giants-great-will-clark-031658420.html
