Giants Legend Will Clark Says Rafael Devers Skipped 3 Meetings to Discuss Playing 1B

In hopes of making Rafael Devers more enthusiastic about playing first base, the San Francisco Giants brought in a team legend to mentor him at the position.

Apparently, Devers wasn't all that interested in hearing him out.

During an appearance on the No Filter Network (h/t Mass Live's Nick O'Malley), Will Clark, who played first base for the Giants for eight years in the 1980s and 90s, said he was set to meet with Devers after he arrived from the Boston Red Sox to give him some guidance, but Devers didn't show up three days in a row.

"Friday, Saturday, Sunday, he did not come out early, at all. Period, not all. In fact, he didn’t even hit on the field,” Clark said. "Everybody’s like, 'Oh my God, I’m so sorry, Will. I’m so sorry.'"

While on the surface, Devers' absence at the meetings with Clark could come off as a bit disrespectful to a franchise icon, but there's a bit more to the situation.

Clark said that the meetings were scheduled ahead of games against Devers' old team, the Red Sox, so he "completely understands" why Devers didn't want to be on the field earlier than he needed to be.

Devers' Boston exit came after months of dispute over his position. Before the season, he said he would refuse to move from third base to designated hitter, but ultimately made the switch.

In May, the team wanted him to play first base because of injuries, a request that frustrated him.

Despite Devers' refusal to take on different positions in Boston, he seems more open to it in San Francisco. President of baseball operations Buster Posey said last month that Devers "wants to do what he can to help the team," whether that's playing first base or third base.

Since arriving in San Francisco, Devers has a pair of homers and nine RBI across 20 games. The Giants are in second place in a tough NL West and appear on their way to the postseason for the first time since 2021.

As for Devers and Clark, it seems their relationship will be just fine, as long as Devers is more willing to meet with him next time.

“But Rafael Devers, the next time I’m in San Francisco, your ass will be on the field at first base, just letting you know that,” Clark said. “Even if I gotta go grab you by the back of the neck and drag your ass out there, you will be at first base.”