A Day in the Life: Xander Bogaerts

Xander Bogaerts/Photo via AP

Ever wondered how people who eat, sleep, and breathe health spend their days? We did. So in this series, we’ll take you behind the scenes and show you a day in the life.

Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox Shortstop

Boston is a competitive town, and nobody knows that better than Xander Bogaerts. “It’s a bit stressful, to be honest. The city is all about winning,” he says. “It’s like no other [city]. You’ve just got to win every day.”

Lucky for the shortstop, 23, the Red Sox went into May leading the American League East, a standing that should keep fans happy for the time being. “You just have to work hard, keep your body in good shape,” Bogaerts says. “That’s the most important thing. It’s a long season.”

We caught up with Bogaerts to discuss how he does just that.

Breakfast: “I try to get a huge breakfast,” he says. “It’s probably the most important part of the day.” Bacon and eggs are a standard morning meal for Bogaerts, and he says he’ll often have a watermelon water—he works with the brand WTRMLN WTR—on the way to the park.

1:00 p.m.: Arrive at Fenway.

Pre-game workout: Bogaerts says he often squeezes in a strength training workout (“lift weights, get sore”) before night games, which he follows up with another watermelon water. “I actually get a lot of cramps, so it’s definitely a huge part for me,” he says.

Lunch: Bogaerts says he doesn’t have a typical pre-game meal. “They cook basically anything you want,” he says. “Whatever they make that day, you just go along with it.”

Mid-afternoon: The infielder says he relaxes and plays cards with his teammates in the hours before a game.

4:00 p.m.: Time for stretching, batting practice, and pre-game warm-ups with the team.

7:00 p.m.: Game time.

Post-game: Not one for night life, Bogaerts says he likely heads home for rest and relaxation after a game. “I don’t really like to go out that much,” he admits. “I probably just stay home and play PlayStation.”