The Sunday night game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets featured on ESPN has given Boston's star 3rd baseman Rafael Devers a chance to show off his personality.
The year is 2023 and Rafael Devers is talking about ice cream while recording outs for the Boston Red Sox. Amazing.
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) July 23, 2023
While Devers speaks limited English, he was able to charm the audience with his answers to questions that were posed by bilingual game analyst Eduardo Perez.
The questions were asked when Devers took the field in the top of the third inning. He was asked about his $300 million contract, what it's like to be a leader on the team, what was the first thing he bought after making his new deal and the flavor of his favorite ice cream.
Petition for Rafael Devers to wear a mic for the rest of eternity.
He just loves playing baseball. And ice cream.
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) July 24, 2023
Rafael Devers is the best thing that ever happened to in-game mics.
— Big Sox Guy (@BigSoxGuy) July 24, 2023
Devers told the ESPN crew that he didn't feel like a leader, just a teammate.
While answering questions, he had to catch a pop up in a very light sky. He reacted to the pop up, called off his teammates, made the catch and then let loose with an “Aii, aii, aii,” indicating his relief.
"Aye Yai Yai" 😅
Rafael Devers mic'd up was comedy 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/KPjJgrLOHy
— ESPN (@espn) July 24, 2023
When the Red Sox came to bat in the bottom of the inning, he got a base hit in a 4-run rally. However, he was tagged out after overrunning 3rd base. At least one fan blamed the in-game interview.
I want to believe Rafael Devers got picked off because the whole inning before he had to talk to the announce crew about his contract in Spanish during live ball action instead of focusing and concentrating strictly on the game he is getting paid millions to play
— KD (@klashawndd) July 24, 2023
The final question concerned Devers' taste in ice cream. When Perez asked him, Devers did not hesitate. He offered “vanilla and chocolate” in a heavy Spanish accent.
Despite the bland answer to that question, Rafael Devers' smile, laugh and good humor appears to have made him one of the most popular in-game interviews the network has had this season.