How Red Sox’s Biggest All-Star Snub Spent His Break

Boston Red Sox fans would have liked to see Ceddanne Rafaela in Atlanta for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. At least the center fielder received some downtime instead.

Rafaela entered the break with a 3.4 WAR by playing elite defense and catching fire at the plate. The anchoring effect appeared to cost the 24-year-old an All-Star invite, as he didn’t make the American League roster despite overcoming a lethargic April by batting .296 with 12 home runs from May 1 onward.

Rafela joined MLB Network’s “Intentional Talk” on Friday to discuss his relatable All-Star break activities.

“I went home, spent time with my family and kids and got some shopping in,” Rafaela said at Wrigley Field.

When pressed about his purchases, Rafaela said he bought clothes and shoes for his children.

Rafaela apparently didn’t attend Wednesday’s Coldplay concert with Red Sox manager Alex Cora. He also didn’t get to represent Boston in the Midsummer Classic, an unfortunate omission since he stormed into the break wielding a 1.024 OPS over his last 40 games.

Rafaela played a pivotal role in Boston winning 10 straight games before the break. Although that run ended with a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Friday, the budding star extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a single off Ryan Pressly in the seventh.

“I think we were just trying to get it going and start a good streak to go into the break,” Rafaela said. “And I think we found it 10 games there, and we’re trying to keep it going.”

The Red Sox will now look to start a new winning streak when they face the Cubs on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ET.