Before his first at-bat at Fenway Park in two years, Andrew Benintendi was all enterprise.
The former fan favourite Red Sox outfielder checked out the tribute video being performed for him on the video board, however appeared extra interested by taking warmup swings. And as he approached the batter’s field, there wasn’t a lot acknowledgement from the Boston crowd. He briefly tapped his helmet to acknowledge his former supervisor, Alex Cora, who was clapping within the Sox dugout.
Moments later, he swung on the first pitch and flew out to left. Benintendi’s return to his first skilled baseball residence was delicate — and now that he’s with the Yankees — a bit bizarre wanting.
“It was a little strange obviously,” Benintendi stated contained in the guests’ dugout earlier than the sport about coming again. “It’s the first time being back in over a year. I’m just taking it all in again and seeing all the familiar faces that were here in the past.”
Red Sox performed a pleasant tribute video for Andrew Benintendi in his return to Fenway Park: pic.twitter.com/yb9fFKzDRJ
— Steve Hewitt (@steve_hewitt) August 12, 2022
Benintendi has by no means been one to get emotional — his response after his memorable catch to clinch Game 4 of the 2018 ALCS being a rarity — and that hasn’t modified in pinstripes. But he definitely soaked in being again. He was having enjoyable pregame, obliging autograph requests throughout batting follow and taking a while to meet up with previous buddies, together with Red Sox assistant basic supervisor Raquel Ferreira.
Benintendi harbors no sick will towards the Red Sox, who traded him to the Kansas City Royals in February 2021 in trade for Franchy Cordero, Josh Winckowski and different prospects.
“It’s been long enough now,” Benintendi stated. “It’s been two years. If there ever was that feeling, it just goes along with you want to play well against every team so that would be a bonus to go out and play well. In the end, you just want to get wins.”
Benintendi stated he doesn’t assume a lot about how most the 2018 championship workforce — together with his former outfield mates Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. — is gone now. The Red Sox chapter of his profession is much previously now, however he definitely continues to carry particular reminiscences in Boston. That catch within the 2018 ALCS was his favourite, and he’ll clearly all the time keep in mind occurring to change into a World Series champion.
“It’s hard not to,” Benintendi stated. “Being part of that team. One of the best teams ever, it’s hard to forget. It’s definitely strange being back here, being on this side. Just looking forward to getting this thing underway and getting going.”
Cora wished to clear up what he thought was a misunderstanding: He liked managing Benintendi.
It’s effectively documented now that Benintendi modified his swing after the 2018 season in an effort to hit for extra energy. He proceeded to wrestle offensively in 2019 and 2020 earlier than the 2021 commerce.
“I think people felt when I mentioned about the swing change, it meant I don’t like him,” Cora stated. “I love that kid. That kid, at 7:05, it was fun to see him walk in front of me and saying, ‘Let’s kick butt’ — in another way. Prepared, great athlete, in tune with the game, in tune with his teammates. Quiet. Some people took that in a different way. But obviously they’re all my favorites, but I really enjoyed managing him. He was ready. He was ready to compete running the bases, on defense, the offense.”
When Cora was rehired as Red Sox supervisor after the 2020 season, he stated Benintendi was one of many first to name him.
“He has a special place in my heart,” Cora stated. “He was so excited I was coming back. It was a special phone call. He was one of the first ones that called me. I love that kid. I’m looking forward to seeing him, giving him a big hug. He deserves a great ovation here.”
Paxton makes ‘big step’
James Paxton threw a two-inning simulated sport Friday in Fort Myers as he continues to get better from Tommy John surgical procedure. Cora stated he nonetheless expects the veteran starter to pitch this season.
Paxton will probably must go on a rehab project earlier than returning, although they’re unsure but how shut he’s to creating one.
“We’re not there yet,” Cora stated. “I think today was a big step. Like I said before, he’s not concerned about his elbow or his arm. He’s concerned about executing pitches, which is good. Let’s see how he feels tomorrow. Like I said, not sure what we’ll do next week. He feels good.” …
Trevor Story will be part of the Red Sox on their street journey subsequent week in Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the place the hope is he’ll start taking batting follow as he recovers from the small hairline fracture close to his proper wrist. …
Kiké Hernandez (hip flexor pressure) is taking part in on back-to-back days in Portland on Friday and Saturday. He’ll get Sunday off earlier than probably occurring subsequent week’s journey with the Red Sox. It looks as if he could also be near being activated.
“He’ll let us know but that’s the plan as of now,” Cora stated. “He feels good.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com