BOSTON — The mainstay is at shortstop.
The numbers aren’t particularly close. Xander Bogaerts has played in a combined 757 games for the Red Sox since the final out of the 2013 World Series was recorded. Mookie Betts is next on the list at 660 games, postseason and regular season included, followed by Jackie Bradley Jr. at 650.
(At 511 games, Brock Holt is now ahead of Dustin Pedroia in games played from 2014-18, at 497.)
When Game 1 of the 2018 World Series begins on Tuesday, Bogaerts is going to be the only player who was in the starting lineup for the Red Sox in both this year’s World Series and their last. He was the third baseman then, their shortstop now.
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The 26-year-old Bogaerts had the best year of his career in 2018, even though he did not earn his second All-Star appearance. He finished with a slugging percentage above .500 for the first time, at .522, and set a career-high in on-base percentage, .360, and home runs as well, 23. His 45 doubles were also his highest tally yet, as were his 103 RBI.
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“More relaxed,” Bogaerts said of the difference between now and then. “I remember my first year, I just did not want to mess up, I was so young and I didn’t want to be that guy. But I remember winning, it’s just a huge relief and a huge, the proudest moment of achievement for the whole team.”
The question surrounding Bogaerts entering both this year and last was tied to his second-half performance, a matter that’s been directly related to his health. The only two calendar months in which he hit .300 in 2018 were August and September. His line prior to the All-Star Break this season, .296/.371/.502, was right there with his level of production prior, .284/.353/.535.
“I got hit again this year [in the left wrist] and I’m really happy for the fact that I didn’t try to play through it again as I did before last year,” Bogaerts said. “Took time off and whenever I felt ready to go, I did, and then they kept playing."
Bogaerts, known to be candid, has been open with his difficulty in pressure spots. In situations Baseball-Reference categorizes as high leverage, he slashed .358/.419/.651 with six home runs in 129 plate appearances in 2018.
“I think just not feeling the pressure,” Bogaerts said of the difference. “I think this year I’ve been more not even worried about that, or sometimes even wanting that type of situation. I don’t think a lot of guys would go out and say, 'Hey, you want that type of situation.' But now I feel much more at ease at being in a situation like that.
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"I’m a guy that thinks a lot, I’m gonna be honest. I think a lot. I try not to overthink. But I’m not a guy that’s literally going to go up, see the ball and just put a good swing on it and hope. I just, I really try to go up there with a plan and stick to my plan. If I’m looking for a certain pitch in a certain area, try to not get out of that.
“I really try to not chase as much. You give the pitcher one strike, he gets the confidence, and it might go downhill from that. So, just try to really be specific at what you want to swing at, and don’t try to give ‘em too many strikes, because that’s where it goes wrong for a hitter.”
Bogaerts was a rookie in ’13. Now, he has one season left before he can become a free agent. The campaign he put together in ‘18 made him the 22nd most valuable position player in the majors, per FanGraphs’ wins above replacement. That’s ahead of Andrew Benintendi, who was 30th, trailing only Mookie Betts — No. 1 — and J.D. Martinez, 10th.
Bogaerts doesn’t seem to grab the limelight too often. But his tenure may be underappreciated, and he did not think it would take this long to get back to a Fall Classic.
“It just makes me be a little more appreciative,” Bogaerts said. “‘OK, next year we’re going to be there. If not, the next year. But it took five years. Five years of hard work and having good players on our team just coming through in big spots. And having an amazing season as we’ve had so far this season.”
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