SAN FRANCISCO — Rafael Devers strolled into the clubhouse side-by-side with home run king Barry Bonds, a fellow left-handed slugger who San Francisco‘s new big hitter has long admired.
“I think just looking at him my game has already improved a lot,” Devers joked as he was formally introduced by the Giants on Tuesday, when he started at designated hitter batting third in the series opener against the Cleveland Guardians.
Cheered warmly when introduced before the first pitch and given a rousing ovation when he walked to the batter’s box to chants of “Rafi,” Devers struck out swinging on five pitches in his initial at-bat in the first inning of San Francisco’s 3-2 loss. Fans held their phones high to capture photos and video.
“My first at-bat obviously I was a little bit nervous because of the ovation, I wasn’t expecting that,” Devers said through an interpreter. “Afterward, I felt a little more comfortable and it was great to see the fans welcoming me that way.”
In the third, Devers hit an RBI double to right-center and put the Giants ahead 2-1. He struck out again in the fifth and grounded out in the seventh before a one-out single in the ninth as the Giants threatened. He finished 2 for 5 in his debut.
Devers is determined to leave his own lasting mark on the franchise in what is a much-needed fresh start for him and a monumental midseason acquisition for Buster Posey and San Francisco’s front office.
Devers met Bonds and Posey for the first time and said he hopes to have legacies like theirs, even if Devers is still building up the courage to talk hitting with Bonds.
And whatever went wrong in Boston, Devers is done discussing any issues he had with the Red Sox and eager to move forward across the country with the Giants.
“That’s in the past now, I’m looking ahead and focusing on what I have here being a San Francisco Giant,” Devers said before the game. “I’m eager to go out there and play and see what I can do.”
With a bright smile to match his bright new No. 16 jersey, Devers insisted he would play any position — “I’m here to play wherever they want me to play” — and do whatever manager Bob Melvin and his staff ask.
“I really like his answers by the way,” said Posey, in his first year as president of baseball operations.
And on day one, Devers was out fielding grounders at first base — something he wouldn’t do in Boston. His batting practice drew a huge crowd at Oracle Park, where fans arrived early wearing his jersey.
“All day it was kind of a Devers fest, as it should have been. Had some good at-bats and it looks like he fits right in,” Melvin said. “You have to realize he’s been in Boston his whole career and all of a sudden he’s here and we’re all excited about it. It’s a completely different environment, it’s completely different team, he doesn’t really know anybody on the team and shows up already a fan favorite.”
Devers wasn’t about to guess how long it will take him to be ready to play first, but he hopes it’s soon and he planned to take more grounders there in the coming days.
The Giants will take on a mega contract after Devers signed a $313.5 million, 10-year deal in January 2023. He joins several other stars here with long-term contracts — shortstop Willy Adames has a seven-year, $182 million deal and third baseman Matt Chapman $151 million over six years through 2030 — as Posey builds a roster he expects will compete for another World Series championship, like the ones the Giants won with him as their star catcher in 2010, ’12 and ’14.
San Francisco last made the playoffs in 2021, when it won a franchise-record 107 games and edged the rival Dodgers for the NL West title on the final day.
“I think this organization has talent, they have won championships. I am here to play, to win and to win a championship,” Devers said through an interpreter.
Posey thanked ownership for its willingness to go for it and trade for Devers to boost a club that has lacked power and struggled to score runs for extended stretches this season. The trade announced Sunday came together in the past few weeks after numerous hours of conversations.
“I think the persistence really paid off,” chairman Greg Johnson said.
While the Giants will gradually get Devers up to speed playing the field again since he has strictly been a DH this year, they know he has plenty of mentors eager to help. Melvin doesn’t expect Devers to play third but rather DH and first, the very position he didn’t want to play after losing his job at third when the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman to a $120 million, three-year contract in February to be their third baseman — the spot where Devers made 130 starts last year.
“When you have a guy like Barry Bonds around, arguably the greatest hitter of all time, it’s an added benefit for sure,” Posey said.
It will only be a matter of days before Devers’ first reunion with the Red Sox, who visit Oracle Park for a weekend series.
He was batting .271 with 14 home runs and 57 RBIs over 72 games as Boston’s primary DH. When asked what the differences will be as he begins anew, Devers noted: “It’s the same baseball. I’m here to give my 100%.”
“Been a fan from afar,” pitcher Justin Verlander said. “Excited to add a player like that to our lineup.”
The 28-year-old Devers hadn’t been thrilled with the idea of playing first base in Boston but thanked the people who cheered him, calling them “great fans who supported me my whole time there.”
After all the fanfare of his introduction and receiving his jersey in front of most of his teammates, who made time to be at his news conference before doing their pregame routines, Devers got to work.
“The Giants brought me here for a reason and I will give 100%,” he said. “I’m now happy to be part of the team.”
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Shane van Gisbergen earned his fourth victory this season, blowing out the competition again at Watkins Glen International.
The Trackhouse Racing driver joined 2020 champion Chase Elliott and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon as the only drivers to win four consecutive Cup races on road or street courses.
Unlike his prior wins at Mexico City, Chicago and Sonoma, van Gisbergen was unable to qualify from the pole position after he was nipped by Ryan Blaney. The Auckland, New Zealand, native bided his team after starting second, taking his first lead on Lap 25 of 90 and then settling into a typically flawless and smooth rhythm on the 2.45-mile road course.
The rookie made his final pit stop with 27 laps remaining and cycled into first place on Lap 74 of a clean race with only three yellow flags. Cruising to a big lead while leading the final 17 laps, van Gisbergen beat Christopher Bell by 11.116 seconds. Chris Buescher finished third, followed by William Byron and Chase Briscoe.
With five victories in only 38 career starts in NASCAR’s premier series, van Gisbergen trails only Elliott (seven wins) and Kyle Larson (six) among active drivers on street or road courses.
The win validated the decision by Trackhouse to sign van Gisbergen to a multiyear contract extension last week.
Feisty Gibbs
It was another frustrating race for Ty Gibbs, who spun John Hunter Nemechek late in Stage 2 and then complained about the handling and strategy of his No. 54 Toyota. Joe Gibbs Racing competition director Chris Gabehart, who recently began working as a strategist and consultant to Gibbs’ team, radioed the driver to “stay in the game” after the Nemechek wreck and later took issue after Gibbs questioned his team’s strategy.
“I’m sure you’ve got a real good understanding from inside the car,” Gabehart told Gibbs on the radio. “So you can call the strategy if you want, or we can keep rolling.”
Gibbs, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, finished 33rd and remained winless since moving into Cup after winning the 2022 Xfinity Series championship. Teammates Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin and Bell each have qualified for the playoffs with victories this season.
Up next
The Cup Series will race Saturday, Aug. 16 at Richmond Raceway, which will play host to its only NASCAR race weekend this season. The 0.75-mile oval had two annual races on the Cup schedule from 1959-2024.
NEW YORK — Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected from a game for the fifth time this season in the third inning Sunday against the Houston Astros.
Boone thought Jason Alexander‘s sinker to Ryan McMahon was a low called strike. He argued with plate umpire Derek Thomas, who replied, “I’ve heard you enough, Aaron,” and tossed him out.
Boone continued the argument for about another minute while third base umpire Jordan Baker interceded, and the at-bat continued with McMahon flying out to center field.
Boone was ejected six times last season. His last ejection was by Manny Gonzalez on July 23 in Toronto during the seventh inning for arguing a called third strike on Anthony Volpe.
Since becoming manager in 2018, Boone has been ejected 44 times. Last season, he was tossed by Thomas in the seventh inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves following a walk to Marcell Ozuna.
The Astros held a 2-0 lead when Boone was ejected and went on to win the game 7-1.
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Sporting a smile with his left elbow in a black sling draped around his neck, Connor Zilisch was back Sunday at Watkins Glen International, recounting his scary fall in victory lane.
After winning Saturday’s Xfinity race at the road course, Zilisch took a nasty tumble while attempting a celebratory perch on his No. 88 Chevrolet in celebration. Zilisch, 19, was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a broken collarbone. Trackhouse Racing withdrew the No. 87 Chevy that he was scheduled to drive in the Cup race Sunday at Watkins Glen.
“First of all, I’m doing OK,” Zilisch said during the USA broadcast of the Cup race. “Very grateful to be able to walk away from that, and I guess I didn’t walk away, but I’m very grateful to be walking today and to just be all right. Thank you to all the medics who took care of me, and everybody who reached out and wished me well. I do appreciate it a lot.”
After his series-high sixth victory, Zilisch realized he was in trouble immediately after the chaos began in victory lane, which typically is a frenzied scene of winning team members cheering and tossing beverages as their driver exits the car.
“Yeah, I was climbing out of the car and obviously the window net was on the door, and as soon as they started spraying water, my foot slipped,” he said. “And the last thing I remember was being halfway down and falling, so I’m glad it wasn’t any worse, and that the collarbone is the extent of the injuries, but hate I couldn’t make it to the race today.”
The question now turns to whether Zilisch will be ready for the next Xfinity race on Aug. 22 at Daytona International Speedway.
“We’re still working out with all the doctors to figure out what’s going to be the next steps,” Zilisch said.
He already has shown to be a quick healer this season. After a one-race absence at Texas Motor Speedway because of a back injury from a crash at Talladega Superspeedway, Zilisch had posted 11 consecutive top-five finishes and five wins since his return.
He noted that Trackhouse teammate Shane van Gisbergen “had a place put in once and raced the weekend after. So I don’t know if I’ll be that quick, but hopefully my young bones will heal fast, and I’ll be able to get back in it as soon as possible.”
