YANKEE STORY: BEN RICE

by: Victor Suarez

Ben Rice’s historic three-homer game for the Yankees on Saturday, the first by a rookie in franchise history, provided a much-needed spark for the struggling team. Manager Aaron Boone called it “legendary,” while Gerrit Cole described it as “magical.”

The Yankees had been in a slump, losing 15 of their last 20 games before Rice’s performance. His leadoff homer in the first inning set the tone for the game, and his two subsequent home runs contributed to a 14-4 victory over the Red Sox. Rice’s seven RBIs tied a rookie record set by Lou Gehrig in 1925.

Rice, a 12th-round pick out of Dartmouth, has been impressive in his first 17 MLB games, batting .325 with a 1.113 OPS in his last 13. His performance raises questions about the future of first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who is currently on the injured list.

While it’s too early to definitively say Rice will replace Rizzo, his success could make him a long-term solution at first base. This would allow the Yankees to save money and potentially spend elsewhere in the free-agent market.

The Yankees face a challenging road ahead, but Rice’s performance provides a glimmer of hope for a team looking to turn things around. His teammates were clearly thrilled for him, demonstrating the camaraderie within the team.

The Yankees’ next game against the Red Sox will be a test to see if they can maintain this momentum. The team will need to continue working hard and building on this success if they want to turn their season around.