Red Sox outfielder Adam Duvall joined The Baseball Insiders podcast and opened up on his favorite moment from the 2021 World Series run.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Adam Duvall joined Robert Murray and Adam Weinrib on The Baseball Insiders podcast to discuss his Red Sox tenure, what led him to Boston, what winning the World Series was like and memorable moments from that epic run in 2021.
Adam Duvall on Red Sox arrival, World Series and more
The interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
What conversations were like that led you to Boston:
"A lot of it had to do with the interactions with the front office, coaching staff and players. There seemed to be a big recruiting movement. It wasn't only just me, there were other players that had signed here as well. They made me feel at home. They made me feel like I could be successful in Boston. It just seemed like they were heading in the right direction. Obviously, a lot of success in the past."
What players recruited him and what did they say?
"Alex Cora, a lot of the players — (Justin Turner), Kike Hernandez, Yo Yo — there were a bunch of guys that were reaching out and said that they would be excited for me to join. That makes you feel good. It definitely helps in the recruiting process."
What's this season been like for you, obviously starting off hot and then dealing with the injury? Did going through it last year make it easier this time around?
Fortunately throughout my career I've been pretty healthy. Last year was my first time on the Injured List and then again this year. It was definitely a learning curve. It was my first time going on a rehab assignment. There were a lot of firsts in that. Just trying to put one foot in front of the other, not getting ahead of yourself, not thinking ahead too far. It's a 6-to-8 week process. They're long days grinding through rehab. … Being back out there has been great. It's been fun.
How have you managed to adjust to the green monster in center field and just playing in a ballpark that's really unique in Fenway Park?
"One, managing the workload. Center field is really taxing on your body. So being smart about the amount of extra work that I'm doing. I pride myself at being at peak performance at the end of the season because that's when you're playing for everything. I think that's a big thing, managing the workload. Then getting plays under your belt. There's different things — there's the triangle, there's the wall — that are different things that you have to take into account.
You hit a walk-off home run against the Orioles earlier in the season after a really bizarre error. What was your mindset there?
What's crazy about that is it was the same exact scenario the night before. Yoshida hit a ground ball, then instead of turning a double play the guy threw it in the dugout and that gave me a chance. The next night, it was the exact same scenario: an error and a chance to win the game. I was able to come through. I felt like being in that situation the night before and facing the same pitcher, same scenario … it definitely helped.
You were a key piece to the epic trade deadline in 2021. Could you have ever envisioned anything quite like that?
Obviously, I was able to walk right back into the clubhouse. I had been there for three years before that. I stepped in and we didn't skip a beat. The other guys … it just goes to show how important a good clubhouse is. If you bring guys in, it's easier for them to just jump right in and mesh. If you have a bunch of "I" guys, then it's a little tougher. The group we had that year was fantastic. We came back 11 or 12 games from the Mets and won the division and win the World Series. We clicked at the right time and that's really what baseball is all about.
What was your most memorable moment during that run?
The grand slam. Before the game, my grandma was in bad shape. I got to FaceTime her. I didn't know if I was going to see her again. That really was tough for me before that game. I actually told her, 'I'm going to hit you a home run tonight.' God was there because the first pitch, I ended up hitting a grand slam. That was meant to be."
