Boston Red Sox fans react as college pitcher nearly plunks Rafael Devers twice in his first spring at-bat: "That pitcher was sending a message early"
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers got a quick wake-up call as the team opened its Spring Training season Friday. The Red Sox made their traditional start to the spring games with a seven-inning exhibition against the baseball team from Northeastern University at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida.
One of the few proven superstars remaining on Boston's roster, third baseman Rafael Devers stepped into the batter's box in the bottom of the first inning against Northeastern starting pitcher James Quinlivan and had to hold on for dear life.
With a 1-0 count, Quinlivan sent a high fastball up in the vicinity of Devers' head and then nearly tattooed Devers on the shoulder with his third pitch. Both of Quinlivan's offerings sent Devers sprawling for cover.
Rafael Devers' first AB this year and he's got to dodge two pitches right away https://t.co/yuLYLMCluC
However, with no obvious ill-intent apparent from Quinlivan, a native of Medway, Massachusetts, and redshirt junior with the Huskies, Rafael Devers managed to smile and nervously laugh after letting out a few long exhales.
Fortunately for Quinlivan as Northeastern is based in Boston, Red Sox fans understood that the pitches were just the result of a nervous young man on the mound.
@TalkinBaseball_ Felt bad for that college pitcher getting the yips in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (probably) to face a big league team.
@TalkinBaseball_ Imagine being in college and pitching to rafael Devers
@TalkinBaseball_ He just a kid that nervous.. You can tell with body language.
However, a few fans questioned the logic of putting a superstar third baseman at the plate against an amateur at the end of February.
It me, baseball sicko watching a major league team play a low major collegiate team twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
@TalkinBaseball_ Who are the huskies 😭
Just missed 💔💔💔 twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
Still, other fans didn't mind seeing Quinlivan sending a little chin music at Devers. Others wouldn't have minded a plunking. This is, after all, the winter of Boston Red Sox fans' discontent.
@TalkinBaseball_ I would’ve thrown at him a third time too
That Pitcher was sending a message early 😂😂 but in case you casual or Non Baseball Fans don’t know why there is so many Minor Leagues… College/up to Triple A Baseball aren’t developed yet and gotta work on Accuracy. twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
@TalkinBaseball_ Should’ve hit him
Still, most Boston Red Sox fans were able to laugh it off, just like Devers.
I love his laugh after the second one lol Raffy has the best demeanor twitter.com/talkinbaseball…
Rafael Devers precious cargo for Boston Red Sox
Rafael Devers is the last of the Red Sox's homegrown trio of superstars from Boston's 2018 World Series championship. With outfielder Mookie Betts in Los Angeles and shortstop Xander Bogaerts in San Diego, the Red Sox Nation would have been up in arms even more than they currently are had Devers not been locked up long term.
Fortunately, that occurred as Devers and the Red Sox agreed on a 10-year, $313.5 million extension to keep the two-time All-Star in Boston long term.
"He wants to be part of this, he loves it. He loves playing at Fenway Park, he loves the city," Boston Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom told reporters at the press conference announcing Devers' extension in January.