Devers 'very happy to be back' at Fenway, proves it with massive HR

BOSTON -- A once-disgruntled star returning to the team he spent nearly a decade with makes for a juicy narrative.

Rafael Devers, though, emphasized that he has turned the page. The Giants slugger spoke politely about Boston ahead of his return to Fenway Park, but he kept thoughts on his nine-year Red Sox tenure short and to the point.

“I’m very happy to be back,” Devers said from the opposing dugout Friday ahead of the first of a three-game slate. “The fans were good to me.”

Slotted into the No. 2 spot in the Giants lineup at designated hitter, the 29-year-old held off on predicting how the crowd may greet him a few hours later.

“I knew this day was going to come … but it’s just move on and enjoy the moment,” he said.

What Devers accomplished in a Red Sox uniform may someday be remembered fondly, but the prevailing sentiment befit that of acknowledging a villain.

The Giants' designated hitter was booed when announced in the starting lineup. And when he strode to the plate in the first inning, the 37,007 fans overwhelmingly showed their disdain for their star-turned-foe. That Devers struck out on four pitches only stoked the fanatical fire, but he followed up with a walk and a solo home run in a 6-4 loss.

“Rafi does what Rafi does,” interim manager Chad Tracy said after the game. “He hit it hard and hit it out.”

Devers did receive more cheers than boos at one point. The Red Sox showed a video montage of his highlights at the conclusion of the first inning. Reaction started mum, as if no one noticed. By the end, fans applauded and Devers offered a tepid, but appreciative, wave to the crowd. Boos returned in his next at-bat in the third, a four-pitch walk. His home run yielded a few cheers, too.

What Devers did concede is that memories -- both good and bad -- flooded back when he arrived at the park and the unfamiliar visitors' clubhouse.

Devers played parts of nine seasons with the Red Sox, earning three All-Star nods. In his second season, he played a key role in the 2018 World Series run.

The Giants acquired Devers on June 15, 2025, for righty Jordan Hicks, lefty Kyle Harrison and prospects James Tibbs III and righty Jose Bello. Only the latter remains with the Red Sox organization. When acquiring Devers, the Giants assumed the remainder of the 10-year, $313.5 million contract he signed with the Red Sox before the 2023 season.

The narrative surrounding the trade kicked off in earnest in Spring Training last year. The Red Sox signing free agent third baseman Alex Bregman led to Devers’ disgruntlement about losing the spot he manned at third base for years. He eventually agreed to serve as designated hitter -- and performed -- but a second domino dropped in early May. First baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury. Devers refused to play the position.

So about six weeks later, Devers boarded a plane to San Francisco shortly after belting his 215th and final home run in a Red Sox uniform to cap a three-game home sweep of the rival Yankees.

Devers said multiple times he’s “matured” in the year-plus since.

“I don’t want to think about the past,” he said. “I don’t want to talk about the past, but at the same time, we’re all grown ups. We have to understand this is the business of baseball. But at the same time, you make mistakes and you have to move on and mature.”

Safe to say, his presence hasn’t completely left. At least not for Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, one of MLB’s breakout stars.

“When I go into the struggles, sometimes I hear him talking to me in my head, and yeah, of course, I think he will be with me in my whole career, because he taught me a lot,” Rafaela said. “He taught me a lot the moment I had him here, so yeah, I was really fortunate to have him as a teammate.”

Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu initially predicted a warm welcome for Devers, and he found himself caught off guard when hearing a different response from the Fenway faithful.

“It was kind of surprising for me because there were different emotions today,” Abreu said. “I didn’t expect to hear some boos [at] him because he’s a really good person, really good player. He did a lot for the team and us. I think it’s part of this. ... Having him here, playing against him, it was really cool.”

Those in the Giants organization credited Devers with being an engaging and collaborative presence. He’s also made a home at first base, save for a recent stretch at designated hitter tending to some soreness.

Giants infielder Christian Koss, who played three years in the Red Sox Minor League system while Devers emerged as a star with the big league club, said fellow Minor Leaguers emulated Devers at the time as a “myth and a legend.” Especially lefties.

Now peers, Koss described Devers as “the best” teammate.

“He’s always willing to help, giving little tidbits or advice,” Koss said. “Being in the game as long as he has, and as successful as he’s been, he’s still trying to help the young guys out with a lot of good information.”

Giants manager Tony Vitello said Devers enthusiastically participates in hitters meetings. He had much to say about hitting in Fenway Park.

“He’s got really good insight to the game,” Vitello said.

Before talking to the horde of media alongside translator Erwin Higueros, Devers signed a few autographs for fans behind home plate. He even inked a Red Sox cap that the fan told him -- somewhat ironically -- is “only for Red Sox.”

That begs the question, could Devers ever come back to the organization he spent so many years with?

“That’s not something I control,” he said. “I don’t have an answer. It’s a baseball decision. I’m concentrating on San Francisco and the organization that’s treating me very well right now.”