Bogaerts returned to Boston in 2024, but while that visit was emotional \u2014 complete with tributes from the fans, and the first chance to see so many people whom he\u2019d known throughout his career \u2014 Bogaerts was on the injured list and unable to play. <\/p>\n
What kind of reception did Bogaerts anticipate on Friday?<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. I hope [it\u2019s positive],\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s been a couple years now, so hopefully they still remember once they hear my name.\u201d<\/p>\n
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They did indeed. Bogaerts received a standing ovation when introduced prior to the game and again when he stepped to the plate in the top of the first inning. He tipped his helmet to the sold-out crowd in a touching moment of shared appreciation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI tip my hat to the fans. That ovation for the shortstop over there, wow,\u201d said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. \u201cThat was probably the best [reception] out of all of [the ex-players] that have come back.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ovation reflected Bogaerts\u2019s role as a four-time All-Star who was a key contributor to championships in 2013 and 2018, and concluded his time in Boston having played more games at shortstop than anyone in franchise history.<\/p>\n
Yet Bogaerts now acknowledges feeling separation. Not only has more time passed, but he also has almost no remaining teammates from his tenure. <\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like this is a whole new team that the Red Sox are compared to when I was here,\u201d said Bogaerts before going 0 for 4 in Boston\u2019s 5-2 win<\/a>. \u201cI don\u2019t know as many people. Most of my friends are either somewhere else or retired. It makes you see that time flies.\u201d<\/p>\n That said, Bogaerts knows what it\u2019s like to grow up in the organization and to find his footing in the big leagues. There are some similarities between the path Bogaerts traveled as a celebrated top prospect who instantly contributed to Red Sox\u2019 success in 2013 and Roman Anthony\u2019s arrival last year. Yet Bogaerts noted a difference.<\/p>\n \u201cHe came up and got an extension right away. I can\u2019t relate to that,\u201d Bogaerts joked of the eight-year, $130 million deal<\/a> Anthony signed last August. \u201cIt probably comes with a little bit more on his shoulders. He might be the face of the team right now, right? With all that happened last year, he\u2019s probably the guy, I would guess \u2026 I don\u2019t really know the kid, but all that I know is he\u2019s very good at baseball. He seems like a nice kid also.\u201d<\/p>\n Bogaerts does have thoughts about how Anthony and other young Red Sox players such as Marcelo Mayer can navigate the expectations and attention in Boston.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially playing in a big market like this, just be respectful, be accountable,\u201d said Bogaerts. \u201cIt can be hard, man. It can be hard. I can tell you that \u2026 They just want to see you succeed and help the team, help the city. But it can definitely be a little stressful sometimes, because the expectations are always high here. It\u2019s something that goes back so long. It\u2019s just a winning culture, winning tradition. A lot of great players came up playing for this organization, playing for this team. When I came up, it was David [Ortiz] and [Dustin] Pedroia. It\u2019s always been big and great players around this team. And as I said, it\u2019s just, expectations are always high.\u201d<\/p>\n Now, however, Bogaerts is navigating a new set of expectations in San Diego \u2014 a city hungry for its first championship in the four major professional sports.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m in a situation now where it\u2019s kind of like most of the years where I\u2019ve been with the Red Sox. We want to win, and the fans, that\u2019s what they expect,\u201d said Bogaerts. \u201cThey want it more badly [than Boston], maybe, because the Red Sox have a lot more championships up there in the banners. Getting the city of San Diego one might be one of the most special things, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Boston Red Sox Opening Day at Fenway Park<\/p>\n The Red Sox returned to Boston for the first game of the season at Fenway Park. Amid red, white, and green, fans flocked to celebrate the return of baseball.<\/p>\n Alex Speier can be reached at alex.speier@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him @alexspeier<\/a>.<\/p>\n