"I’d still hate the Yankees" - Red Sox rookie makes chilling comments before start against Bronx Bombers

The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees are locked in battle in their first series this season. The two teams have traded jabs in two high-octane, offense-heavy games heading into the decider in the Bronx on Sunday. The Red Sox will have rookie starter Hunter Dobbins on the mound, who has made some fiery comments about their opponents.

Dobbins grew up in a household where his father was a diehard Red Sox fan. While he didn't inherit the like-for-like spirit of supporting Boston, he has kept alive the hatred for their rivals. The 25-year-old made headlines by saying:

“My dad was a diehard Red Sox fan. And I’ve said it before, that if the Yankees were the last team to give me a contract, I’d retire.”

Dobbins is particularly hopeful for a strong start in the Bronx in front of a hot crowd that must have taken note of his thoughts. About the upcoming game, he said:

“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. I’m hoping I hit a career-high in velo or something. … I’m ready for it. Sunday can’t come fast enough.”

It will be Dobbins' eighth start this season and 10th appearance overall. The right-handed pitcher is carrying a 2-1, 4.06 ERA in 44.1 innings pitched this year. He was bumped up from the minor leagues after earning an 8-5, 3.08 ERA in 125.2 innings pitched in 2024.

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Red Sox's Hunter Dobbins comments came after Marcelo Mayer's "music to ears" comments

The Red Sox have a bunch of homegrown rookies who are Boston through-and-through.

Dobbins' comments came after fellow rookie Marcelo Mayer was outspoken about the reception he had received from Yankee Stadium upon hitting his first big league dinger in the series opener on Friday.

“I think every single athlete, or baseball player, dreams about being in this rivalry, so to be in it, you know, it’s a really good feeling,” Mayer had said postgame.

“It’s like music to your ears,” he added. “Honestly I didn’t really here it just ’cause like, I’m so focused on the game, but yeah that’s pretty cool.”

Even though the homer came at a time when Boston was down 7-0, it started a six-run rally that almost spoiled New York's win.

Boston, though, fell short, 9-7, on Friday but rebounded with a 10-7 win of their own as the two teams head into Sunday's decider. Dobbins will be up against the Yankees' Carlos Rodon.