MONTERREY, Mexico -- Of the many genuine moments that took place over the two exhibition games the Red Sox played against Sultanes de Monterrey in their last tune-ups before Opening Day, one involving star leadoff man Jarren Duran stood out.
When Duran exited Monday’s game, his role swiftly switched from outfielder to ambassador.
Fans hollered with excitement into the visiting dugout in hopes that the 2024 MLB All-Star and ‘23 representative of Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic would interact with them.
The first thing Duran did was ask for permission from manager Alex Cora.
“He was like, ‘Go for it. This is for them as much as this is for us. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of them.’ So I was like, ‘OK’, and I went down to the end of the dugout and had them throwing hats at me and baseballs,” Duran said. “I was dodging baseballs, left and right, but making sure [NESN sideline reporter Tom Caron] didn't get hit by a baseball. It was an awesome experience.”
And that was the key word: experience.
More than baseball, the goal for the Red Sox on this two-day excursion was to soak in the experience and allow the rabid baseball fans of Mexico to do the same. The Red Sox closed out the trip with a 12-8 victory.
“It was great,” said Alex Bregman. “The crowds were awesome. Energy in the ballpark is great. It's a good way to get started and lead into Opening Day with that kind of energy that's going to be in a big league ballpark in Texas.”
After Monday’s game, another unique experience unfolded. The fans knew that Boston’s clubhouse was up one flight from the concourse.
So they stood below and chanted like spectators at a concert awaiting an encore in hopes that some players would emerge.
Duran, whose father Octavio was born in Mexico, was one of several players who participated enthusiastically in a somewhat chaotic scene. As the players interacted with the fans, a live concert could be heard in the massive parking lot that surrounds Estadio Mobil Super.
“That was insane,” Duran said. “[Nick] Sogard told me, ‘Dude, you got to go out there.’ I thought he was talking about the concert that they were having. And I was like, ‘Oh, cool.’ Then I go out and there’s all these fans just standing there, throwing hats, throwing gloves, baseballs [for autographs]. It was a free for all, like, sign something and make sure I wasn't gonna get smoked or something else. But it’s just been so fun.”
While the Red Sox had some players (Rafael Devers, Wilyer Abreu and most of the starting rotation) finish their final preparations for the season at the team’s Spring Training base in Fort Myers, Fla., the trip was an obvious bonding experience for the players and staff who went.
“A hundred percent,” Bregman said. “It's been fun to go on the road with the guys and kind of get into that mode and really going on our first road trip this season together, so it's been really good.”
“The guys really enjoyed it,” said Cora. “They embraced it. The Sultanes did an amazing job accommodating us and everything, and the food has been great too.”
Several hours before Tuesday’s game, Duran, Marcelo Mayer (the son of two Mexican parents) and Brennan Bernardino (formerly a Mexican League player) participated in MLB’s Play Ball Event.
“Some of those kids had amazing swings,” Duran said. “I was like, ‘Oh my god’, and I'm over there sitting next to them, trying to mimic their swings. But it's great to see that even though there is a language barrier, we can still connect on a baseball level.”
Mayer, MLB Pipeline’s No. 12 prospect, took center stage in Monday’s 10-1 win, driving in five runs.
Each member of Boston’s vaunted Big 3 prospects had their moments on Tuesday.
Kristian Campbell (No. 7 in Pipeline’s Top 100), who won a spot on the Opening Day roster, ripped a two-run homer to center. Roman Anthony (Pipeline’s No. 2 prospect) smoked an RBI triple, also to center, and drew two walks. Mayer went 3-for-4 with three RBIs.
“It was a lot of fun. There was a lot of energy out there,” said Campbell. “The fans were great. The environment was great. The weather was great. So we couldn’t ask for much more.”