Rafael Devers hits MLB milestone with 1000th career hit

Rafael Devers’ journey began with a bang seven years ago, launching his first career hit; a home run to center; off Mariners right-hander Andrew Moore on July 26, 2017. Moore, a pitcher with a fleeting Major League career, might now be a footnote, but Devers is etching his name in Boston’s glittering history.

On Saturday, in a 14-4 drubbing by the Yankees, Devers notched his 1,000th hit; a hard single to right field off Gerrit Cole, one of baseball’s elite. It felt fitting for Devers to reach this milestone against Cole, a pitcher he has consistently dominated over the years.

With this achievement, Devers became the 33rd player to amass 1,000 hits for the Red Sox and only the sixth to do so before turning 28. This places him in the company of his mentor, Xander Bogaerts, and Red Sox legends like Bobby Doerr, Jim Rice, Tris Speaker, and Carl Yastrzemski. “I feel happy for that accomplishment,” Devers said. “It’s bittersweet because we lost, but I’m glad to reach this milestone. Tomorrow is another game.”

Despite the lopsided loss, Devers seemed poised to carry his team. His 1,000th hit drove in David Hamilton, tying the game in the third inning. Two innings later, Devers launched a mammoth home run off Cole, a 441-foot blast, putting the Red Sox ahead.

It was the eighth time in 39 at-bats that Devers had homered off Cole. “He can hit any pitch,” Cole remarked. Devers, channeling Reggie Jackson from 1977, flipped his bat and triumphantly rounded the bases. It was a powerful moment, a nod to his exuberant teaMMAte, Alex Verdugo, who had also celebrated a Game-tying homer earlier in the Game.

Devers’ exuberance didn’t bother Cole. “If as a pitcher you don’t want to watch a home run trot, then you probably shouldn’t give up a home run,” said Cole. Devers, who is known for his joyful play, added, “It was a big hit for us. They’ve done it to us before, so no one should be mad. It’s just baseball.”

Manager Alex Cora has watched Devers grow from a promising rookie to a feared hitter. “Special hitter. I remember his first game in Seattle in 2017,” Cora recalled. “He hit a home run to center and later an inside-the-park homer in the playoffs. He was hitting hard everywhere.” Cora has seen Devers evolve, using the whole field and mastering different ballparks, becoming a complete hitter and a cornerstone of the Red Sox.