The fierce rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, which has slowed down in intensity in recent years, found a new spark this past weekend, thanks to some bold comments from a rookie pitcher.
Hunter Dobbins’ Bold Statement About the Yankees
Hunter Dobbins, a right-handed pitcher for the Red Sox, made waves before Sunday’s game when he shared his thoughts with the Boston Herald. The rookie, who is a lifelong Red Sox fan from Texas, said he would rather retire than play for the Yankees, even if they were the last team to offer him a contract. This remark was made just a day before his start against the Yankees, adding extra drama to the already heated rivalry.
Aaron Judge’s Response to Dobbins’ Comments
Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ captain and one of the most dominant players in baseball, was unaware of Dobbins’ comments until ESPN’s Eduardo Pérez relayed the news to him before Sunday’s series finale. Judge’s reaction was one of surprise, especially since he had only heard similar comments from baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr., who had famously refused to play for the Yankees in his career.
“Well, once somebody tells you, yeah,” Judge said, admitting that Dobbins’ comment did cross his mind when he stepped up to bat.
Judge Responds with a Two-Run Home Run
In the first inning of Sunday’s game, Judge made sure to send a clear message. He stepped into the batter’s box and crushed the first pitch he saw from Dobbins — a 98 mph fastball — for a mammoth two-run home run. The ball traveled 436 feet at 108.6 mph, marking the second-longest opposite-field home run of Judge’s career, just 2 feet shy of his longest.
Despite this powerful response, the Yankees went on to lose the game 11-7. Afterward, Judge admitted that the comment from Dobbins had been in his mind during his at-bat. “Yeah, once somebody tells you,” he said with a smile.
The Rivalry Heats Up
While Judge’s powerful home run was a highlight, the Red Sox were able to recover from the early setback and limit the Yankees’ offense. Dobbins, despite not recording a strikeout, pitched five innings and allowed just three runs on four hits, helping Boston claim two out of three games in the series.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Weighs In on the Comments
During an in-game interview, Miami Marlins player Jazz Chisholm Jr. also commented on Dobbins’ remarks. Chisholm expressed appreciation for competitiveness in baseball but felt that for a rookie to dismiss an entire team from the possibility of his career was “kind of crazy.” He added that saying he would never play for one of the 30 teams was a bit too extreme, especially as a rookie with so much potential ahead of him.
Judge’s Career Milestones
In addition to his massive home run, Judge also hit another two-run shot in the ninth inning against Robert Stock, bringing his total to 23 home runs on the season. This performance marked his 43rd career multihomer game, tying him with the legendary Lou Gehrig for third in franchise history. Babe Ruth (68) and Mickey Mantle (46) are the only two Yankees ahead of Judge in this category.
Judge reflected on his milestone, saying, “Any time you get mentioned with those legends, it’s quite an honor. But it would’ve been sweeter to talk about it after a win.” Despite the Yankees’ loss, Judge’s outstanding performance continues to solidify his place as one of the best players in the league.
The rivalry between the Yankees and the Red Sox has taken another memorable turn, thanks to the bold comments from Hunter Dobbins and Aaron Judge’s incredible response at the plate. While the Yankees may have lost the game, Judge’s two home runs and his reaction to Dobbins’ remarks show just how intense this historic feud still is. The 2024 season promises to bring more excitement as both teams continue their battle for dominance in the American League.
