When it comes to Major League Baseball, the concept of rivalries has almost always been around.
For Boston Red Sox rookie pitcher Hunter Dobbins, the rivalry with the New York Yankees has always been part of the game. The 25-year-old right-hander has used that history as motivation, joining several Red Sox rookies in arriving early to the Bronx ahead of their series against the Yankees. His next start will mark his first career appearance against the storied franchise.
According to Gabrielle Star with the Boston Herald, the rivalry has been part of his life for as long as he can remember.
A Family Ties Rivalry With the Yankees
“My dad was a diehard Red Sox fan,” Dobbins said. “And I’ve said it before, that if the Yankees were the last team to give me a contract, I’d retire.”
While Dobbins was not as big a diehard Red Sox fan as his father, he grew up playing second base, and his favorite Red Sox player was Dustin Pedroia. The right-handed pitcher went on to say he grew up watching the team whose jersey he now wears.
“I grew up watching the Red Sox a lot, but I knew I wanted to do this as a career,” he said. “I didn’t get attached to a team, but I grew up watching [the Red Sox], and just, I think out of disdain for the Yankees, I watched anybody but them.
“I think whoever I was playing with or whoever I would have been drafted by, I’d still hate the Yankees, so Sunday should be a fun one,” Dobbins said, “I’m hoping I hit a career-high in velo or something. … I’m ready for it. Sunday can’t come fast enough.”
Dobbins’ previous comment about potentially retiring if he were ever asked to join the Yankees’ bullpen has only added more fuel to the rivalry.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Responds
Yankees center fielder and outspoken trash-talker Jazz Chisholm Jr. fired back with a response on his X account.
Chisholm Jr. wrote, “I think there should be more trash talk in baseball!!! Anyone agrees?? Anyway, free smoke at 7.”
I think there should be more trash talk in baseball!!! Anyone agrees!? Anyway free smoke at 7 🤷🏾♂️😶🌫️💨
— Jazz Chisholm Jr (@j_chisholm3) June 8, 2025
According to the New York Post, Chisholm also made a bold pregame statement to the rest of his Yankees teammates.
“I just said, ‘We’re going to kick ass tonight,’” Chisholm said of the pregame message that he shared with teammates.
The first pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m. EST at Yankee Stadium. While Dobbins has the nod to start for the Red Sox, Carlos Rodón will be the Sunday night starting pitcher for the Yankees.