Massachusetts Native Reflects On Joining Red Sox/Yankees Rivalry

Some Massachusetts natives will try to eliminate the Boston Red Sox from the playoffs on Thursday.

Walpole’s Cam Schlittler will start a must-win Game 3 for the New York Yankees, who extended the series after Cohasset’s Ben Rice fueled a Game 2 triumph.

Rice, who sat out Game 1 with star southpaw Garrett Crochet on the mound, took Brayan Bello deep for a two-run homer in the first inning of Wednesday’s 4-3 win at Yankee Stadium. The Dartmouth alum reflected on making his presence felt in the prestigious Red Sox/Yankees feud, via MLB Network.

“It’s unbelievable,” Rice said. “So cool to be a part of the rivalry now. Just given where I’m from and where I grew up, just makes it all that much more special.”

Schlittler had to convert his family of Red Sox fans after joining the Evil Empire. Rice, on the other hand, grew up a Yankees supporter despite his roots.

“When I was a little guy, I really liked Derek Jeter,” Rice said last month. “He was always my favorite player, so grew up rooting for the Yankees. As I got a little older and once he retired, maybe rooted for the Sox a little bit more. But when I was a little guy, it was always the Yankees.”

Rice introduced himself to his hometown club when crushing three home runs against the Red Sox on July 6, 2024. He developed into a dangerous batter for New York this season, batting .255/.337/.499 with 26 home runs as a catcher and first baseman.

Aaron Boone benched the left-handed slugger against Crochet to start the series, but Rice went yard in his first career postseason at-bat on Wednesday.

“I know my role,” Rice said after Game 2. “Yesterday, my role was to be ready for a big at-bat off the bench, and today I was starting. The approach doesn’t change. I mean, I’m just going to be prepared for every at-bat I get and every chance I get.”

Boone said Wednesday night that he wasn’t sure if the red-hot Rice will start Thursday’s winner-take-all Game 3 against Red Sox lefty Connelly Early.