The star of the Shohei at the 2021 All Star Game at Coors Field batted leadoff and pitched the first inning. Yes, Shohei Ohtani is indeed the main attraction in Colorado this week, with former Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado a close second. But Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts garnered plenty of early attention as well.
Prior to his on-field interview it sounded as if Bogaerts were oddly booed by the crowd.
A curious act considering he has never done anything of significance against the Rockies, though the Red Sox did sweep the Rockies in their only World Series appearance back in 2007. Perhaps that’s the key. Bogaerts is arguably the face of the Red Sox, and perhaps Boston sports these days, but it’s not like he’s Tom Brady.
Ever a good ambassador game, Bogaerts got some more spotlight and was able to literally show his patience at the plate in the first inning, when he was mic’d up during his at-bat. FOX announcer Joe Buck was in his ear, asking questions during the plate appearance, one of the broadcast’s gimmicks. A fun concept that ended, well, a bit awkwardly.
Bogaerts did single his next time at the plate, though most fans in attendance were still in awe of Vlad Guerrero Jr’s mammoth home run. He later turned an unassisted double play to end the fourth, and added an RBI single in the fifth, contributing every way possible.
As for his future with the Red Sox, earlier on All Star Tuesday Bogaerts said he wants to remain with the team for his whole career, but understands, “...sometimes it doesn’t happen the way we want it.” Something Sox fans would normally be anxious over were the team not in first place in the AL East at the break, thanks in part to the great play and leadership of Bogaerts and the other four Red Sox All Stars.
Bogaerts can opt out of his contract at the end of the 2022 season, something he’s likely to do, especially after seeing him featured by the league and one of it’s broadcast partners on a night where baseball’s stars are on display.