Players often hear boos when they return to a city they once called home. But Rafael Devers’ return to Fenway Park was much more than a former player facing his old team. The 29-year-old had spent nine years with the Boston Red Sox, helping them win the 2018 World Series. But most Boston fans weren’t happy watching him appear in a San Francisco Giants jersey. While the crowd booed one of their biggest former stars, some fans were quick to push back against that reaction.
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“Imo, Red Sox fans shouldn’t be booing Rafael Devers. So what if things weren’t smooth at the end…this is a guy who chose to sign long term. Won a WS with you. And hit 215 HR,” Sam Fosberg said, defending the player on social media.
Devers made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2017. He recorded 21 HRs and 62 RBIs in the next regular season, which helped Boston reach the playoffs and eventually become the World Series champions. He went on to achieve three All-Star selections and two Silver Slugger awards with the franchise. In January 2023, they decided to sign a 10-year, $313.5 million contract. But things turned sour between the two entities after Boston decided to place Alex Bregman on third base and shifted Devers to DH duties.
Friction between the slugger and the front office resulted in the Red Sox trading Devers away to the Giants in June 2025. Fast forward to August 2026, and he entered Fenway Park for the first time since the trade. While Devers claimed that he has become more mature as an athlete after the trade, he admitted that he didn’t know what to expect from the fans.
After his name was announced on Friday, some fans were clapping to welcome the former legend, but a large number of boos overshadowed the positive reactions.
“I’m disappointed that this is a guy who did a fabulous job for years wearing the Red Sox uniform,” a commentator said after hearing the boos.
But Devers has never been a guy to run his mouth. He responded in his own way by hitting the 96th home run at Fenway Park (261st of his career) while going 1-for-3. During the Giants’ 6-4 defeat to the Red Sox, he received little support from the crowd. But his current team stood by him.
“Yeah, he did a lot of great things for this organization, or that organization, so, kind of disappointing hearing the boos. But it is what it is,” Giants starter Logan Webb said after the game. And their manager had an even sharper response.
Tony Vitello said, “I’d assume all the people that cheered were people that lived here in 2018, and all the people that had anything else moved here after that.”
But now, they aren’t the only people pushing back at the fans’ reaction at Fenway Park. Some of the Red Sox fans are raising their voice against the treatment the former star received from a part of their fanbase.
Red Sox Fans Condemn Fenway Crowd for Booing Devers
Some people were just at a loss for words and simply commented “Agree” to Fosberg’s post. But some of them had some choice words.
“Our fans s**k *** sometimes,” wrote one fan. Another echoed the same frustration, saying, “Our fans can be di****ts sometimes.”
Some of them acknowledged the bitterness that forced Rafael Devers out of the organization. But they just couldn’t support the booing.
“Honestly, that stinks. I know that Devers went out on a bad note, but he did a lot for the franchise when he was there, read one comment.
Another fan said, “This is sad and pathetic from the fans. I was expecting us to be adults and accept that shit happens. I guess I was proven wrong.”
The negative reception reflected the frustration surrounding his departure. But they would never erase what Devers has contributed to the Boston Red Sox and what he has achieved over the years.