First Baseman Ben Rice Helps the New York Yankees Advance To Critical Game 3
Some moments are just scripted for the silver screen. For Ben Rice, a kid from Cohasset, Massachusetts, who grew up cheering for the enemy, stepping into the batter’s box at Yankee Stadium for a do-or-die playoff game against the Boston Red Sox was one of them. And boy, did he deliver.
With the electric buzz of a postseason crowd hanging in the air, Rice didn’t just play a part; he stole the show. On Wednesday night, he turned on a Brayan Bello cutter and sent it screaming into the right-field seats. The two-run shot in the first inning was more than just a home run; it was a statement. It was the spark that lit the fire under the Yankees, propelling them to a nail-biting 4-3 victory and forcing a decisive Game 3 in the American League Wild Card Series.
The Full-Circle Moment For Ben Rice
Ben Rice homers on the first #Postseason pitch he sees! pic.twitter.com/7MkVbPj1pt
— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2025
You can’t make this stuff up. This is the same Ben Rice who, as a kid, cheekily scrawled “Yankees Rule!” on the iconic Pesky Pole at Fenway Park. The same kid who proudly wore a Derek Jeter replica jersey for his first-grade picture day. He has gone from a fan in the stands to the man creating the memories, and he did it against his hometown team. Talk about a Hollywood ending.
This wasn’t some out-of-the-blue fluke, either. Rice has been on a tear, capping off his first full Major League season with a solid .255/.337/.499 slash line, 26 homers, and 65 RBI. Despite his hot bat, he found himself riding the pine in Game 1, a managerial decision that left fans scratching their heads. But when his number was called for Game 2, Rice proved he belongs in the spotlight.
How Rice Ignited the Yankees’ Offense
That first-inning blast was a continuation of a late-season surge. They don’t call him “Benny Barrels” for nothing. According to Baseball Savant, Rice’s hard-hit percentage (56.1%) was among the best in the majors. He doesn’t just make contact; he makes a statement.
After the game, Rice kept it simple. “I think if you go up there with a good plan and execute, you’re probably going to hit the ball on the sweet spot,” he said. Spoken like a true pro who just lived out a childhood dream on one of baseball’s biggest stages.
The Yankees needed a hero on Wednesday, and they found one in the most unlikely of places: a kid from Massachusetts who traded his Red Sox roots for pinstripes. Thanks to Rice, the rivalry lives on for one more game.
