Jonathan Papelbon Wowed By Ceddanne Rafaela Dazzling In Unusual Way
It wasn’t a routine play for Boston Red Sox shortstop Ceddanne Rafaela in the top of the fifth inning Tuesday night against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park.
But the electrifying 23-year-old still managed to blow a bubble with his bubblegum during the play.
Rafaela charged a bounding ball off the bat of Miguel Andújar and as he snared it and threw onto first, the Red Sox youngster blew a bubble.
That certainly caught the attention of former Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon, who joined Jared Carrabis on NESN’s alternate broadcast “Unobstructed Views.”
“Look at him blowing a bubble. Look at Ceddanne, a little pimp juice, blowing a bubble while he makes a helluva play. You too cool, man,” Papelbon said. “This guy’s got swag, though. Look at this guy. That’s just smooth, man. I’m surprised the star pendant didn’t pop the bubble.”
The impressive defensive play with the blown bubble continued a strong stretch from the Red Sox rookie. Rafaela came through big in Boston’s weekend series against the New York Yankees as he hit a two-run home run in extra innings in the series opener and delivered a 412-foot, solo shot in Sunday’s 3-0 win.
Rafaela continued swinging a hot bat in a 12-9 win over the Athletics. He went 2-for-5 with a triple and an RBI.