SEATTLE – Bobby Dalbec wasn’t sure he’d still be in the Red Sox organization this year, let alone a member of the Opening Day roster.
“I wasn’t necessarily surprised,” he told the Herald before Saturday night’s game. “Yeah, I mean didn’t really know what to think, ‘cuz I hear it from both ends all the time, but I’m super-grateful to be here.”
Dalbec had a solid preseason, collecting 12 hits in 23 games, including a double and three homers, scoring seven and driving in nine. He stole two bases in three attempts, drew seven walks, and struck out 21 times, and claimed the infield bench spot on the Opening Day roster.
“Definitely feel like I earned the position just based off last year,” he assessed. “In spring, I had more quality at-bats as opposed to other springs, I wasn’t just feasting off guys who weren’t really polished yet or themselves on the mound.”
Dalbec didn’t make the Opening Day roster last season, and spent most of last year in Triple-A, where he showed off the enormous home-run power he’s struggled to maintain consistently in the Majors. He only played 21 big-league games sprinkled throughout the season, but there were strong stretches within the small sample size. When the Sox recalled him in mid-September, he began his fourth and final stint of the season on a tear, going 8-for-25 (.320) with a pair of doubles and a home run in his first seven games.
He went into the offseason not trying to deviate too much from the routine he used when he was hitting well.
“I just tried to repeat what I was doing last year, when I was on that hot streak, because it was sustainable for average and power,” he explained. “Obviously, I still strike out quite a bit, but there’s more contact and more quality contact, I would say. Just trying to repeat that, just be normal, just be me.”
Starting the season on the big-league roster means his dugout tradition with Rafael Devers will continue. Often during game broadcasts, Dalbec can be seen massaging Devers’ temples as the third baseman smiles serenely.
“I do temple massage, couple face slaps, lock him in,” Dalbec explained.
The face slaps are almost like a lighthearted version of Michael Corleone gripping his brother Fredo’s face with both hands in Godfather II. It’s a tradition unique to the duo, who are now among the longest-tenured members of the organization. (The Sox signed Devers ahead of the 2014 season, and selected Dalbec in the fourth round of the ’16 draft.)
“Just him, he’s the only one on the train,” said Dalbec. “I don’t know, maybe people think it’s weird, but Raffy and I have known each for so long.”
He doesn’t remember why or how the ritual began. “I have no idea, just giving him good vibes,” he chuckled. “He just likes it. Me and him have a different relationship. He’s one of my best friends, I would say. Just known each other, so we’re super comfortable.”
At this point, it’s so ingrained in their game-day practice that Dalbec knows when Devers is ready. “He’ll just kind of come up to me,” he said. “He doesn’t have to say it, he just kind of looks at me, and I’m like, okay I got you.”
Devers usually gets his back cracked, too, a specialty of Dalbec’s. “That’s kind of my claim to fame, is giving guys back cracks,” he said with a smile. My first big-league camp, J.D. (Martinez) was like, ‘Hey, who can pop a back in here?’ and I was like (raised his hand), went like this (he gestured) and did it.”
“Guys will just walk up to me and go like this,” he said, holding up his arms to form a T, “and say what’s up, and just get one.”
