‘Just hit him?' Former Red Sox debate whether Boston should throw at Rafael Devers
Things ended on a sour note between Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox. But did things get so back that the team would opt to hit their former star with a pitch when they meet this weekend?
That was the topic tossed around by a pair of ex-Red Sox players on the show, 'Foul Territory.'
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Appearing as a guest, former Boston closer Jonathan Papbelbon said he doesn't expect any smiles and handshakes with Devers when his old team comes to town to face his Papelbon on Friday.
'I think that they've cut the ties and I think all relationships are severed between everyone in that dugout, in the clubhouse and the front office with Raffy Defers,' Papelbon said. 'So I don't think there's going to be any smiles at all.'
Co-host A.J. Pierzynski, who played for the Red Sox in 2014, took it a step forward by asking if Boston would consider plunking Devers with a pitch.
Papelbon didn't think it would happen – not in today's game at least.
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'They don't do that anymore. Guys don't do it,' Papelbon said.
Pierzynski and Papelbon agreed that, in years past, the possibility of the Red Sox throwing at a former disgruntled player would be on the table.
Pierzynsky said that, if Red Sox Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez was around, then there 'would have been some action.'
Papelbon said he'd been part of that type of scenario himself. The former closer said that then-manager Terry Francona told him to throw at Manny Ramirez after the slugger had been traded to the Chicago White Sox in 2010.
'I don't know if it's gonna happen or not. Maybe Alex Cora calls in somebody to drill him or not. I don't know, but I highly doubt it,' Papelbon said.
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Pierzynski, who had a reputation for stirring the pot as a player, floated a scenario where the Red Sox 'accidentally' hit Devers in his first at-bat against his old team.
Both players agreed that it would trigger a brawl, regardless of whether it was on purpose.
'Even if it's not accidental or not, (it) just hit him. Maybe on purpose or maybe not,' Papelbon said,
We'll see how Devers and the Red Sox handle their reunion when the team takes on San Francisco Friday night.
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