Oracle Park wasn’t just hosting a game on Tuesday night- it was hosting a moment. The crowd erupted with deafening cheers and unshakable pride as the Giants introduced their newest member: Rafael Devers. For the first time in his career, he stepped onto the field in something other than a Red Sox jersey. The energy was electric, the anticipation sky-high. But just as fairytales go off-script, the Guardians crashed the party, stealing the win.
Still, the night had magic- the kind that reminds you why baseball is more than just a game. What more could a player ask for?
After a month-long tension with the only team he had known in MLB, Devers was traded to San Francisco on Sunday. But unfortunately, his debut didn’t turn out memorable as the Giants had to surrender to Cleveland 3-2. But the fiery atmosphere in the stadium served as motivation even for the Guardians.
Sure, the crowd was cheering for Devers, but that made the game that much more interesting for the opposing team. Their relief pitcher, Cade Smith, said that the night was special, even though he pitched only one inning. “It was a great atmosphere last night. The crowd was into it. It was a tight ball game,” said Smith on MLB Network Radio after the win.
“He had just gotten there, too. There might have been standing ovations every time he came to the plate. For sure, they were making a lot of noise. It’s so much fun to play in atmospheres like that, where it’s competitive, where the fans are involved, where it’s also a beautiful stadium. It’s a great atmosphere, and it’s so much fun to be able to get out and do that. I had a blast playing in that atmosphere last night,” he added.
After a rough goodbye from the Red Sox, this support was a much-needed emotional boost for Devers.
Rafael Devers’ first day in San Francisco was a big win for Cade Smith and the Guardians. @CleGuardians | #GuardsBall
https://t.co/fGPbvbj8w4 pic.twitter.com/bS3sSTS1hS
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) June 18, 2025
And, Smith’s right, Oracle Park was cheering for one name particularly loudly to show their support. All eyes were on Devers. “I was a little bit overwhelmed,” the man himself said to The San Francisco Standard. “I’m more relaxed now. Tomorrow will be better.”
“Very excited, very nervous at the same time,” Devers further detailed. “I was really hoping to just hit one out of the ballpark.”
Even though he couldn’t score a home run, Devers definitely made a solid first impression. He was the designated hitter on Tuesday and finished his debut with two hits, one RBI, and two strikeouts in his five at-bats.
Devers is still one of the most dangerous hitters in MLB, and it won’t take long for him to hit one out of the park for his new team. He has started to settle in with the Giants, proudly so, but the smoke is still there in Boston.
Even the legend David Ortiz is being criticized for his comments on the Devers situation, and by none other than another legend Pedro Martinez.
Pedro Martinez criticizes Big Papi for his comments on Devers
Devers’ exit is one of the messiest goodbyes of this season. The Red Sox are being criticized heavily for making the decision to let go of their franchise icon, and that too after a series sweep against the Yankees.
It’s natural that legends step in with advice when players struggle, but in Devers’ case, that didn’t work. After the trade, David Ortiz revealed that he had messaged Devers to have a word. “He almost never returned my messages, but I don’t blame him,” Ortiz said. But now, Pedro Martinez has come to Devers’ defense.
“I don’t like to hear those comments after things happen like that. I would’ve loved for Big Papi to come over, grab Devers, go to a restaurant, go to his house, throw a barbecue, and talk to Devers in his house,” Martinez said while speaking on the B/R Walkoff podcast.
And he’s absolutely not wrong. After all, complete blame can’t be put on Devers.
Devers was asked to give up third base for Alex Bregman, then asked to move to first base while he had just started to enjoy DH. No wonder his discontent was very evident. When the Giants face the Red Sox for the first time after this trade on Saturday, tensions are sure to reignite.
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