Yankees’ Rising Star Ben Rice Makes Memorable Major League Debut at Yankee Stadium

Ben Rice, the promising talent of the New York Yankees, had an unforgettable major league debut marked by a unique introduction to the iconic Yankee Stadium and a solid performance on the field.

Before the game against the Baltimore Orioles, Rice, at 25 years old, engaged with the Bleacher Creatures during his first Yankee Stadium Roll Call, showcasing a special hand gesture symbolizing eating rice to the delight of the spectators.

Called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Rice found out about his promotion via a late-night FaceTime call from the Triple-A manager Shelley Duncan, propelling him into the spotlight for the big leagues on short notice.

Rice, after a whirlwind journey from Scranton to Yankee Stadium without a stop, took his place in the lineup and delivered a hit in the third inning, contributing to a crucial two-run rally that saw the Yankees take the lead.

His family, including his parents, girlfriend, and high school and college friends, were in attendance to witness Rice’s dream come true as he embraced the challenges and excitement of his Major League initiation.

With a strong track record in the minor leagues, where he showcased his versatility playing catcher and first base, Rice demonstrated his potential with a .275 batting average, 15 homers, and 26 RBIs in the 2024 season across his stints in Double-A Somerset and Scranton, earning him the call-up to the majors.

Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in Rice’s abilities, despite some rookie mishaps on the field, as the team looks to navigate through injuries and position changes with Ben Rice stepping up to fill the void in the lineup.

At one point during the game, Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus, a familiar face to Rice as a former Dartmouth catcher, took the managerial reins in a brief yet symbolic moment that highlighted the connection between the two baseball enthusiasts.