Xander Bogaerts’ credit to Rafael Devers for Gold Glove nod puts more pressure on Red Sox
On November 1, Xander Bogaerts has a very strong chance of winning the first Gold Glove of his 10-year career.
The Boston Red Sox shortstop is coming off the best defensive season of his career by far. Over 146 games, he was a plus-defender in Defensive Runs Saved and +5 Outs Above Average. He also made more put-outs, assists, and double plays than his Gold Glove competition, Jeremy Peña and Carlos Correa.
And according to Bogaerts, the new routine that helped improve his defense included doing drills with Rafael Devers right before first pitch of every game.
Yet another reason for the Sox to keep these two together.
Xander Bogaerts credited Rafael Devers with his improved defense ahead of Gold Glove announcement
The last time a Red Sox shortstop and third baseman played as many games together as this duo, Fenway Park did not exist. From 1901-07, Freddy Parent and Jimmy Collins patrolled the left side of the infield together at Huntington Avenue Grounds. They played 697 games side by side; Bogaerts and Devers have 580.
It’s fitting that Bogaerts said this summer that he would’ve become a teacher had baseball not worked out. The best kind of teacher is one who learns with and from his students as much as he educates them. As the unofficial captain of the Sox, he is a teacher in many ways. He’s been a true mentor to Devers, who considers him a big brother. But as Devers progresses, it’s wonderful to see them learning together and from one another. And the results are clear as a cloudless day at Fenway.
For the umpteenth time, pay them.
