FORT MYERS, Fla. - "You have still got it, huh?"
The greeting Dustin Pedroia offered Rafael Devers could have been construed as a check-in regarding the third baseman's excellence. He is, after all, the one no-doubt-about-it star on this Red Sox team, and acknowledgement of that every once in a while never hurts.
But the reality of Devers' All-Star existence isn't what piqued Pedroia's interest. What the former second baseman was locked in on was that brown A2000 baseball glove his former teammate was carting out for another round of early-morning grounders.
As it turns out, while Devers has continued his journey as an ever-improving infielder, he has had a reminder regarding Pedroia with him the entire way. The baseball glove the four-time American League Gold Glove winner handed over to his then-teammate at the end of 2018 - still adorned with the No. 15 on the side - is part of Devers' existence.
"Every year I have used it," Devers told WEEI.com. "Not in 2019. But I came in 2020, felt comfortable and used it every day since. Games. Practices. Everything."
While Pedroia's participation in Saturday's workout at JetBlue Park was a reminder for many of his contributions to the organization, Devers has had a daily recollection thanks to the glove.
And it's clearly not just some ordinary glove.
For starters, it's 11 1/2 inches, which is one full inch smaller than what Devers had always used prior to committing to the piece of equipment three years ago. "It's small for a third baseman," noted Devers.
Secondly, it has shown no sign of wearing down or out.
"Now I feel comfortable with it. It's a good glove," he added. "I have never used a glove this long. But they made it good for him. I don't want to break it."
Pedroia will continue to roam his old haunts at Fenway South through Monday, serving as an instructor for his old friend Alex Cora throughout that stretch.
Saturday one player after another went up and introduced themselves to the former MVP, soaking in whatever bits of knowledge or advice the now full-time father/youth baseball coach could offer.
Then there was Devers. He - and his glove - needed no introduction. Just about five years later, it was just like old times.
"A lot," Devers said when asked how much Pedroia has helped him. "I remember when he taught me a couple of things about defense and I never forgot. He has meant a lot to me. He's such a good guy."