Red Sox rookie 'enjoyed' getting last laugh against Yankees
Share this @internewscast.com

Hunter Dobbins tossed a verbal grenade into the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry and came out the other side with a victory.

The rookie, who is playing for the team he loved growing up, mentioned before his debut as a visitor in The Bronx on Sunday night that he would “retire” rather than play for the Yankees.

The bulletin-board material made its way to the Yankees clubhouse.

“I’ve only heard Ken Griffey [Jr.] say that,” Aaron Judge said when asked for his reaction. “So, surprised.”

Judge punished Dobbins with a home run in the first inning, contributing to a two-homer, three-hit, four-RBI game, but ultimately, Dobbins had the last laugh by securing an 11-7 victory for the Red Sox.

He allowed three runs over five innings and shook off the return jabs lobbed at him by keenly aware Yankees fans.

“You can’t really say something like that without expecting a passionate fan base like the Yankees’ to react,” Dobbins remarked. “If anything, it made the rivalry atmosphere much more enjoyable. I loved it a lot. I’m looking forward to more of this in the future to really get this rivalry going.”

The Yankees were taken aback by Dobbins telling the Boston Herald that “if the Yankees were the last team to give me a contract, I’d retire.”

“I don’t think I would ever say that. I feel like that closes doors,” Jazz Chisholm Jr. said. “I like it, though. I like the competitiveness.”

Chisholm spread the word to teammates before Sunday’s game that “we’re going to kick some ass.”

But those plans were interrupted by a 25-year-old right-hander who inherited his Red Sox fandom.

Dobbins (3-1) told the Herald that his father, Lance, befriended Yankees great Andy Pettitte during his own minor league career.

“Dad was a die-hard Red Sox fan growing up,” Dobbins said. “Drafted by the Red Sox, you always look forward to pitching in the rivalry. It was a lot of fun.”

Was Dobbins’ trash talk on Judge’s mind before his first-inning homer?



He found out about it at the ballpark.

“Once somebody tells you,” the captain said, “yeah.”

You can imagine the reaction of Dobbins’ agent, who certainly knows that if his client pitches well enough to one day become a sought-after free agent then it’s good business to engage the Yankees in a bidding war.

The reaction of Yankees fans to Dobbins’ pregame introduction was surprisingly tame — perhaps an indication that his words hadn’t yet reached the masses.

The jeers that reached Dobbins’ ear were “nothing absurd or out of the norm.”

Chisholm, a Yankees fan favorite, was in the midst of further discussing the comments during ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” broadcast booth when he made a throwing error during the third inning.

“To say that, being a rookie, is kind of crazy to me,” Chisholm said. “The Yankees is one of the best sports franchises in the entire world, so I don’t think that’s even possible that the only team to offer you a job is the Yankees.”

After 11 years in the rivalry as a player and coach, Red Sox manager Alex Cora expected Dobbins might face some vitriol.

“It’s going to be hostile anyway,” Cora said. “He just added a little bit more, I guess.”

Manager Aaron Boone was nearly at a loss for words when reacting to Dobbins’ anti-Yankees stance.

“He’s young. We’ll leave it at that,” Boone laughed. “I don’t think it’s a dig at our players. It’s an interesting comment as a player to make that, but I think it’s a comment of his love of his team.”

Chisholm is the Yankees’ resident instigator, having earned his boos in the playoffs at Kansas City last October by saying the Royals “got lucky” to win Game 2 of the ALDS and calling Maikel Garcia a “sore loser.”

He wants more trash talk in baseball.

“It adds a lot of spiciness,” Chisholm said. “You are more locked in as a fan because you know what’s going on. I think it’s fun, at least.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Chicago traffic: I-90/94 Kennedy Expy. exit ramps Kimball, Addison and Pulaski reopened in near end to project, IDOT says

Chicago Traffic Update: Kimball, Addison, and Pulaski Exit Ramps on I-90/94 Kennedy Expressway Reopen as Project Nears Completion, Reports IDOT

CHICAGO (WLS) — IDOT says its on track to wrap up the…
Trump’s strike on cartel vessel off Venezuela sends warning to Maduro: ‘No sanctuary’

Trump’s Action Against Cartel Ship near Venezuela Warns Maduro: ‘No Safe Haven’

This week, the U.S. Marines carried out an unprecedented attack on a…
Donald Trump plans to ask Supreme Court to toss E. Jean Carroll's $5 million abuse and defamation verdict

Donald Trump Intends to Request Supreme Court to Overturn E. Jean Carroll’s $5 Million Verdict for Abuse and Defamation

NEW YORK — President Donald Trump will soon request that the Supreme…
Man shot in the leg during fight in Pelham

Man Injured in Leg During Pelham Altercation

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — One man is dead while another is in…
Rubio promises more strikes on Venezuelan cartels: ‘We’re not going to sit back anymore’

Rubio Vows Increased Action Against Venezuelan Cartels: ‘We Won’t Stand Idle Any Longer’

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered firm support for President…
Man charged after 11-year-old boy fatally shot in Houston during ‘ding dong ditch’ prank

Man Arrested Following Fatal Shooting of 11-Year-Old in Houston Ding Dong Ditch Incident

HOUSTON (KIAH) – An 11-year-old boy was fatally shot in Houston after…
20 years later: Survivors recall the storm that changed the gulf coast

Two Decades Later: Survivors Reflect on the Storm That Transformed the Gulf Coast

NEW ORLEANS — It’s been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina slammed the…
Trump assassination attempt suspect Ryan Routh challenges president to round of golf

Ryan Routh, accused of attempting to assassinate Trump, invites the former president for a game of golf.

Ryan Routh, the accused would-be assassin of President Donald Trump, challenged the…
Man swimming across Pennsylvania river drowns near family picnic area

Man Drowns While Swimming Across Pennsylvania River Near Family Picnic Site

A 30-year-old New Jersey man drowned near a family picnic area in…
Putin issues formal demands to end Ukraine war after meeting with Trump: report

In the Midst of Strikes on Ukraine, Putin Extends Invitation to Zelenskyy for Security Discussions in Moscow

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that he has “never refused”…
JSO makes arrest in Kurt Dean murder cold case

Arrest Made by JSO in Cold Case Murder of Kurt Dean

The case was solved after the Cold Case Unit chose to review…
Hurricane Lorena weakens as risk of flash floods and mudslides for Mexico's west coast remain

Hurricane Lorena Loses Strength, But Flash Flood and Mudslide Threat Continues on Mexico’s West Coast

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Lorena is losing strength and is expected to…