On Tuesday, The Greg Hill Show had their first live show from Red Sox spring training in Fort Myers, FL, and were joined by prized free agent third baseman Alex Bregman.
Earlier this month, Bregman and the team agreed on a three-year, $120 million contract that would make the 30-year-old among the highest paid players in baseball on a per year basis.
But it wasn’t just the money that drew Bregman to Boston.
“I can only speak for myself, but in looking from the outside-in at this organization, I felt like this organization’s set up to win for a very long time,” said Bregman. “If you look at the prospects in the minor leagues, if you look at the young talent in the big leagues, the veteran players in the big leagues, and the franchise players that you already have in Raffy [Devers] and Jarren [Duran] - I think this organization’s set up to win.
“That was one of the main reasons why I wanted to come here. I’ve been in the playoffs every single year of my career, and I wanna keep that going.”
On top of believing in the mix of talent the Red Sox have at every level of the organization, Bregman’s success throughout his nine-year career while playing for the Astros at Fenway Park is undeniable:
Plate Appearances: 98 (21 games)
Batting Average: .375
On-Base Percentage: .490
Slugging Percentage: .750
OPS: 1.240
Home Runs: 7
Doubles: 9
RBIs: 15
Runs: 24
Walks: 16
Strikeouts: 17
To put that success in perspective, Bregman’s 1.240 OPS is No. 1 among players with at least 75 plate appearances at Fenway, ahead of Hall of Fame outfielder Frank Robinson. His slugging percentage is second all-time behind three-time All-Star Dave Kingman, and his OBP at Fenway trails only the immortal Ted Williams.
In 2024 alone, the two-time World Series champion was 7-for-15 in three games at Fenway, with 2 home runs, 2 doubles and 4 RBI.
Unsurprisingly, these career numbers at Fenway amount to the best of his career at any ballpark where he has at least six plate appearances.
Bregman told WEEI that there’s more to his success in Boston than just his right-handed swing being built in a laboratory for this ballpark.
"I think when it's a Monday in Boston and it's still sold out, 'Sweet Caroline' is playing, and the crowd is going crazy on a Monday or a Saturday night or whatever, it's just an elite atmosphere that gets you up for every single game,” said Bregman. “[It] definitely played a big role in why I wanted to go to Boston. The fans are incredible. I feel like every game means something during the regular season, and I feel like that's a healthy pressure."
Organizational belief? Check.
All-time great success hitting at Fenway? Check.
Elite atmosphere? Check.
To top it all off, Bregman reunites with manager Alex Cora, who worked with Bregman as a bench coach during their one season together in Houston - a season in which the Astros won the 2017 World Series.
“Honestly, I spoke with him a ton all offseason long,” said Bregman. “Just kind of talking about Boston, this team, the future of this team, our time together, and kind of what he would expect from me playing here. And our relationship’s been great.
“He’s a gamer. He loves baseball - hard-worker, guy who just is gonna compete every single day, and I can’t wait to play for him.”
Stay locked in to WEEI and WEEI.com for all the latest on Red Sox spring training action, and catch every Grapefruit League game for Boston on the WEEI Shaw’s and Star Market Red Sox Network.