Ben Rice has ‘full-circle second’ with Yankees-Pink Sox rivalry debut
It was a full-circle second for Ben Rice.
The Massachusetts native and lifelong Yankees fan debuted together with his dream crew June 18, and battled his home-state crew, the Pink Sox, at Yankee Stadium on Friday evening, a collection he had eagerly anticipated.
“There will certainly be that stress within the ambiance and that historic rivalry,” Rice stated earlier than Friday’s recreation. “So it’ll be a variety of enjoyable.”
Rice, who was signed by the Yankees in 2021 because the 363rd general choose within the draft, obtained the big-league name up after beginning first baseman Anthony Rizzo was positioned on the 60-day injured listing with a fractured proper arm.
Although he spent his three-year stint within the minors as a catcher, the 25-year-old Rice assumed Rizzo’s place and stuffed the roster gap instantly.
“I really feel prefer it was a full-circle second,” Rice stated. “Rooting for the crew as a bit child, then truly seeing my identify pop up on the display screen after I was drafted by them, and realizing I used to be one step nearer to attending to the massive leagues, it was an ideal second, one thing I’ll always remember.”
The Dartmouth product was moved to the leadoff spot simply 15 video games into his big-league profession, Anthony Volpe transferring to the No. 6 slot.
Rice hit his first main league dwelling run — a solo shot to proper subject — Thursday towards the Reds.
“That is one thing I’ve at all times dreamed of since I used to be a bit child. What’s higher than hitting a homer at Yankee Stadium proper on the Fourth of July?” he stated.
Born and raised in Cohasset, Mass., the Yankees fanatic — who talked about he had “at all times been an enormous Derek Jeter fan” — attended a number of Pink Sox video games rising up.
“Any Yankees-Pink Sox recreation at Fenway was an actual deal with,” the primary baseman stated. “These have been at all times the highlights as a result of I felt like I knew each single participant. I knew extra on the Yankees than on the Pink Sox.”
Rice’s household and pals, too, have grown into Yankees followers.
“Any household is a Yankees fan today, even when we’re enjoying the Pink Sox,” Rice stated. “Numerous Yankees converters.”
Rice is hitting .290/.389/.484 with 5 runs scored, three doubles, and 4 RBIs.
“Simply general, I’ve favored his heartbeat, I’ve favored his look, his calm on the plate,” Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone stated. “I’ve been happy with how he’s seemed, so hopefully he could be a presence for us in entrance of Juan [Soto] and Aaron [Judge].”
