Hernández feels Fenway ‘magic’
Hopeful for another big Opening Day
When Kiké Hernández walked into Fenway Park for the first time with his new team on Wednesday, he took a moment to soak it all in.
Hernández has made just two visits to the ballpark in his major-league career, both with the Dodgers and including the 2018 World Series, but there was something even more special about this time, his first as a member of the Red Sox.
“I got here really early today,” Hernández said Wednesday, on the eve of Opening Day. “I went to the dugout. One of the first things I did was go into the dugout. The view from the first-base dugout is a lot more special in this stadium than the view from the third-base dugout. I can tell you that. It felt special. The magic of Fenway, you can actually feel it from the first-base dugout. …
“There’s been times and there will be times (today) where I’ll sit back and think about everything. I’m just really happy to be here.”
Hernández has been looking forward to today’s opener against the Orioles for a long time and for a variety of reasons. Obviously, it’s his first game with the Red Sox. It’s also his first as a father. And he’ll also have a chance to start the season on the right foot when he takes the Red Sox’ first at-bat of 2021 as their new leadoff hitter, something he’s been envisioning throughout spring training.
“I’ve thought about it ever since Alex (Cora) sent me that text challenging me to be the leadoff hitter,” Hernández said. “I looked at the schedule and saw we were playing the Orioles and figured we were going to face (John) Means. I’ve been watching some video of Means the last couple of
weeks. I’m excited about (today). Hopefully the rain lets us start on time so we can have a nice Opening Day.”
It will be even more special if Hernández can continue his recent success on Opening Day. In his last two openers, the second baseman is 6-for-8 with three home runs and eight RBI in a pair of Dodgers victories. But even after a strong spring at the plate, Hernández won’t try to do too much to replicate those performances.
“There’s no added pressure,” Hernández said. “The last two years have been pretty special on Opening Day, and this one is special regardless just because it’s a new team, new stadium, new city. Just really looking forward to it.”
JBJ says goodbye
A day before he made his debut with the Brewers, Jackie Bradley Jr. paid tribute to the Red Sox with a letter on The Players Tribune. The former Sox center fielder revisited his journey from being drafted in 2011 to making the Opening Day roster in 2013 and how special the last decade was to him.
“April 1, 2013 — eight years ago, tomorrow — was the beginning of a new chapter for my career,” Bradley wrote. “It’s one that would be filled with hardships and triumphs, but most importantly growth. From the Merloni Shuttle to the duck boat parades; from hitting slumps to hitting streaks; from All-Star Games to Gold Gloves; and from last-place finishes to World Series championships … my baseball career in New England has been one that’s challenged me to always be present in the moment. … And to always be better than the day before.”