Rafael Devers, others won’t attend Red Sox’ Fenway Fest due to late conflicts

As of early this week, Red Sox star third baseman Rafael Devers was listed as a participant in the team’s first-ever Fenway Fest, which will be held Saturday at the ballpark. It turns out Devers won’t be attending after all.

Rafael Devers won't attend Fenway Fest on Saturday. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)Getty Images

Devers won’t be in attendance due to a “last-minute scheduling conflict,” a team spokesperson said Friday, and he’s not alone. New starter Walker Buehler was also taken off the list of expected attendees late, as were right-handers Kutter Crawford and Justin Slaten.

Devers, who signed a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension — the largest deal in Red Sox history — in January 2023, missed last year’s premier offseason event — called “Winter Weekend before being rebranded this winter — last year as well. Privately, team officials have expressed a desire to push Devers to do more front-facing outreach when it comes to things like fan interaction, promotional appearances and marketing opportunities in an effort to brand him as the face of the franchise. The mild-mannered Devers has never viewed doing so as a priority.

Top prospect Marcelo Mayer, originally listed as an attendee, is no longer on the list but the Red Sox announced him as a participant in the Rookie Development Program next week. Team legends Fred Lynn, Pedro Martinez and Bob Montgomery aren’t attending now, either. Lynn tweeted Friday that he would not be able to attend due to repeated flight cancellations near home in California.

Bad weather in some southern states, as well as the ongoing tragic wildfires in southern California, are likely to blame for some late changes in travel plans. Still, the Red Sox list a group of 22 players headlined by Triston Casas, Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito, Tanner Houck, Trevor Story, Garrett Whitlock, Connor Wong and Masataka Yoshida as attendees. Top prospects Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell are expected to be there, as are legends Dennis Eckersley, Dwight Evans, Carlton Fisk, David Ortiz and Jim Rice.

Saturday’s “Fenway Fest” includes events all over the ballpark and MGM Music Hall, including some panel discussions in the event space. The organization is expected to announce their 2025 broadcast teams and tease the upcoming Netflix documentary, “The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox.”

Tickets are $85 for adults and $35 for children ages 3-14. According to the team, a “Fenway Fest ticket includes a voucher for a 2025 Red Sox game in April or May. Details regarding redemption of both autograph & photo sessions as well as game tickets will be communicated to Fenway Fest event buyers at a later date.”