Hall of Famer proud of Red Sox’ Ceddanne Rafaela for All-Star nod: ‘He’s gonna be a great one’

· Yahoo Sports

PHILADELPHIA — When Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela arrived in Philadelphia ahead of his first All-Star Game earlier this week, one of the first people to meet him in the MLB hotel was one of his idols growing up.

Incoming Hall of Famer Andruw Jones, a fellow Curaçao native who managed Rafaela with Team Netherlands in this year’s World Baseball Classic, stopped Rafaela in the lobby Sunday and the two men talked for what Jones estimated to be 90 minutes. The moment was the continuation of a growing relationship between idol and mentee — and a chance for Jones to congratulate Rafaela on his first All-Star Game appearance.

Visit casino-promo.biz for more information.

“He’s always down to talk baseball, talk family, talk anything you need to talk about,” Jones said Tuesday before the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. “He’s always great to be around.”

In a 2024 interview with MLB.com’s Ian Browne, Rafaela said that Braves games were always on in his house growing up because the Rafaela family wanted to see Jones play as much as possible. During that period, Rafaela’s mother, Rechilena, started liking Chipper Jones so much that she included “Chipper” in her son’s full name: Ceddanne Chipper Nicasio Marte Rafaela.

Rafaela, who came up playing both infield and outfield, admired all of the Braves he grew up watching. But there was a special appreciation for Andruw Jones because of their shared heritage, and the relationship grew this spring when the two men spent time together during the WBC.

“Obviously, I inspired a lot of kids in Curaçao,” Jones said. “We had a lot of infielders coming up through the minor leagues. Finally, we’re getting some outfielders. Seeing him go out there and do what he’s doing and trying to take a piece of what I did, it’s awesome.

“The instinct he (has), the passion of going out there and not making mistakes, that’s why he won a Gold Glove. Watching him this year in the WBC, the first time in-person, I saw everything I needed to see of how good he is. Proud of him. He put the work this offseason and came out here and showed it. That’s why he’s in the All-Star Game right now.”

Rafaela has been an elite center fielder throughout his time in the majors and was rewarded with his first career Gold Glove in 2025. This year, though, he has taken meaningful steps forward at the plate and put together the most consistent offensive stretch of his career. He was a late addition to the All-Star team after a first half in which he hit .281 with eight homers, 22 doubles, 39 RBIs and a .761 OPS in 90 games.

On All-Star Game Media Day, Rafaela said he couldn’t wait to meet another outfielder, longtime Angel Mike Trout, for the first time. Ahead of Tuesday’s game, there was Rafaela, milling the field alongside some of the best players who have played his position — both current and former — in recent memory.

“I like everything I see,” Jones said. “It’s hard to compare people to other people. It’s hard to compare to Ken Griffey Jr. It’s hard to compare to Willie Mays. It’s hard to compare to any great center fielder out there. I like what I see.”

“He’s gonna be a great one,” Jones said. “I’m just happy for him to get the opportunity to show his talent that he has. When Boston called him up, I was so proud of him knowing how the journey took, waiting to get there. Just proud being a native of Curaçao, fellow center fielder, him winning a Gold Glove.”

More Red Sox coverage

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Read full story at source