While San Francisco Giants legend Will Clark maintains there is no personal conflict with Rafael Devers, tension arose between Clark and Boston Red Sox announcer Will Flemming regarding Devers’ attendance at a workout session. The dispute centers on claims that Devers skipped a first base workout during the Giants-Red Sox series in June, shortly after Devers was traded to San Francisco, feeding speculation about Devers’ commitment.
Will Flemming’s Claims and Subsequent Clarification
Will Flemming, who is also the brother of Giants announcer Dave Flemming, discussed the alleged no-show on Boston’s WEEI radio, suggesting Devers missed the workout. After backlash, Flemming addressed the controversy on social media, emphasizing he was merely relaying a story told by Clark on his own podcast.
Since the whole of SF seems mad at me, I just want to clarify again: I was repeating a story that one of the great Giants told on his own pod. I’m not trying to push a narrative or opine about the trade. No one has any ill-will toward Rafi, it was just time for a change here,
Flemming said.
Will Clark’s Explanation and Defense of Rafael Devers
Clark had previously talked about the incident during his Deuces Wild podcast with Eric Byrnes, confirming that Devers did not attend the workout but insisted it was not a sign of disrespect or laziness. Clark pointed out that Devers likely avoided working out on first base due to the proximity of the visiting dugout at Oracle Park, which is adjacent to the first base side, where his former team was located.
In a more recent episode of Deuces Wild, Clark aggressively criticized Flemming for misrepresenting the situation, believing the announcer distorted the story to make Devers look bad.
I just gotta tell you right now, this is a bunch of bullsh*t,
Clark said.
That’s first off. Second off, hey look, that was, let’s see, that was my first encounter with Rafael Devers. So I didn’t even know him before those 2-3 days that I spent in San Francisco. So, you know, Rafi and I are fine. I’m gonna work with him whenever I get around to first base. And Will Flemming, you can go f*ck off, motherf*cker. Alright? You want to f*cking take a conversation that we’re having and then blow it out of proportion because you’re a f*cking East Coast, piece of sh*t reporter? F*ck off.
Implications of the Workout Controversy on Perceptions of Devers
This public clash highlights the sensitivity surrounding Rafael Devers’ transition from Boston to San Francisco and the narratives shaping his perceived work ethic. Clark’s defense aims to protect Devers from unfair judgment, while Flemming’s comments have stirred debate among fans and media. The incident underscores challenges athletes face during trades, especially when small incidents become amplified across media platforms.
Going forward, it remains to be seen how this dispute affects the relationships between players, announcers, and media outlets in the baseball community, as well as the ongoing coverage of Rafael Devers’ performance with the Giants.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Rafael Devers a good hitter?
A. Before reaching 30, Devers is one of the top hitters among players with many games. He shares this honor with Hall of Famers like Al Kaline and Dave Winfield.