The Red Sox are headed to the Postseason for the first time since winning the World Series in 2013, after winning the American League East. As this will be the first time that many fans across the Majors will be focusing on their roster, here's our attempt to learn the origins of shortstop Xander Bogaerts.
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Born: Oranjestad, Aruba
DOB: 10/1/92
Minors: Greenville (A), Salem (A+), Portland (AA), Pawtucket (AAA)
Path to Boston: Was signed as an amateur free agent in 2009.
:: Before they were postseason-bound: Select a player ::
You might not know: Xander became the fifth player from Aruba to play in the Major Leagues when he debuted in 2013.
Near Royalty: When Xander arrived back in Aruba for the offseason after the Red Sox won the World Series in 2013, Prime Minister Mike Eman and a few hundred Arubans celebrated his return to the island at the Queen Beatrix International Airport in Oranjestad.
Taking Notes: Bogaerts credits Dustin Pedroia for showing him the ropes in 2013 when he was a rookie. Mike Napoli, David Ortiz and David Ross were influential as well. Pedroia bought Xander two custom-made suits in 2014 to wear on road trips.
Football Fanatic: Bogaerts likes to watch the El Clasico matchups between Spanish Primera League soccer super teams Real Madrid and Barcelona. He's also a fan of Barcelona and even has one of their famous red and blue striped jerseys with his name X. BOGAERTS and the No. 10 on the back (like Lionel Messi).
No. 2: Playing shortstop as a kid, Bogaerts' favorite player was Derek Jeter. After only seeing him on television in Aruba, he got a chance to meet Jeter while playing with the Red Sox.
"I was surprised at how big he was after seeing him on TV for so long," Bogaerts said. "He was also very generous." He was thrilled to have met him.
It Takes Two: Xander has a twin brother named Jair. He was signed by the Red Sox along with Xander in 2009. He now works as an agent for the Beverly Hills Sports Council.