Boston Red Sox rookie pitcher Hunter Dobbins voiced his disdain towards his rival team. New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge offered the perfect retort.
Mutual dislike fuels fan rivalries, but for players, free agency has largely eased tensions between divisional rivals. However, long before stepping onto a Major League field, players often inherit their dislike for rival teams from generations of passed-down disdain.
As a result, some internalize these feelings and carry them into adulthood. But it is important to remember that those targeted by such vitriol often fight back.
What Did Aaron Judge Say About Hunter Dobbins?
Separated by five hours but united by a century of intense rivalry, the Yankees and Red Sox share a deep disdain for each other’s cities, fans, and teams. Each season, these legendary franchises face off in at least 19 games.
At times, you see playful banter from players on each side of the rivalry, but for the most part, it settles with tongue-in-cheek humor. Dobbins, a rookie pitcher, articulated what he felt about the Bronx Bombers to Boston Herald beat writer Gabrielle Starr.
Dobbins said, “I’ve said it before, that if the Yankees were the last team to give me a contract, I’d retire.”
“I’ve said it before, that if the Yankees were the last team to give me a contract, I’d retire.”
Red Sox rookie Hunter Dobbins is fired up for his first career start against the Yankees tomorrow: https://t.co/pvqDIlKab7
— Gabrielle Starr (@gfstarr1) June 7, 2025
Dobbins grew up in Texas, several states away from the furor and heat of the conflict. However, that did not stop him from fueling the long-simmering issue. New York media will never miss a chance to grab a back-page headline. As a result, someone asked Judge if he had heard what the rookie hurler mentioned.
Judge kept his response clear and concise, choosing not to inflame the situation. Instead, letting his play do the talking.
During the three-game series, the slugger hit .461 with two home runs and five runs batted in. For his part, Dobbins earned a win on Sunday night with a five-inning performance, giving up three earned runs. Boston took two of three from New York.
The Yankees Videos X account captured the perennial All-Star’s thoughts.
Aaron Judge on Hunter Dobbins’ comments:
“I really didn’t hear about it until Eduardo Pérez told me before the game. I’ve only heard Ken Griffey say that, so I was a little surprised.”
Were Dobbins’ comments in Judge’s mind in the first inning?
“Once somebody tells you, yeah.” pic.twitter.com/z4817x70bT
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) June 9, 2025
“I really didn’t hear about it until [ESPN writer] Eduardo Pérez told me before the game. I’ve only heard Ken Griffey [Jr.] say that, so I was a little surprised.”
When asked about the comments and if they wandered through his mind, Judge did not mince words. After all, he did launch a Dobbins offering into the seats.
“Once somebody tells you, yeah,” Judge said.
The Griffey incident involves MLB Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.’s interactions with the Yankees’ staff while his father played there in the 1980s.
The younger Griffey’s rivalry was fueled by genuine passion, whereas Dobbins does not have the same presence, feeling more like a disgruntled fan than a serious challenger. While Dobbins deserves credit for standing his ground and attempting to put his stamp on this generational beef, it felt out of place.
10 appearances in his career should not equate to supplying bulletin board material. At the same time, every time he visits the Bronx as a Red Sox pitcher, you can guarantee that he will hear a less-than-friendly reception.