Jazz Chisholm Jr. reacts to ‘spiciness' of Red Sox rookie's Yankees jab
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Hunter Dobbins threw a fresh grenade into the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry before he even let go of his first pitch.
The rookie playing for the favorite team of his childhood said ahead of his first start as a visitor in The Bronx on Sunday night that he would 'retire' before playing for the Yankees — a comment that caught the attention of the Yankees' resident trash-talker, Jazz Chisholm Jr.
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'I just said, 'We're going to kick ass tonight,'' Chisholm said of the pregame message that he shared with teammates.
Dobbins inherited his Red Sox fandom from his father and told the Boston Herald that this first trip of the season to Yankee Stadium 'is one that I've had circled for a long time.'
3 Hunter Dobbins throws a pitch during his May 24 start for the Red Sox.
AP
3 Jazz Chisholm Jr. reacts after stealing a base during the Yankees' game against the Red Sox on June 6.
Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
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'I've said it before, that if the Yankees were the last team to give me a contract, I'd retire,' Dobbins added.
You can imagine the reactions of Yankees fans ready to boo the 25-year-old right-hander, who entered the game 2-1 with a 4.06 ERA.
You can imagine the reaction of Dobbins' agent, who certainly knows that if his client pitches well enough early in his career to one day become a sought-after free agent then it's good business to engage the Yankees in a bidding war.
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But no imagination needed for the Yankees' reactions.
'I don't think I would ever say that. I feel like that closes doors,' said Chisholm, who has become a fan favorite since he was traded from the Marlins last season. 'I like it, though. I like the competitiveness. I'm a huge fan of college baseball right now because of how they are — super competitive, super fiery, and I like that.
Dobbins told the Herald that his father, Lance, is a former Yankees draft pick who befriended Andy Pettitte.
He was hoping to hit a career-high on the radar gun Sunday.
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'It adds a lot of spiciness,' Chisholm said. 'You enjoy it. You are more locked in as a fan because you know what's going on. I think it's fun, at least.'
Manager Aaron Boone was almost at a loss for words when reacting to Dobbins' anti-Yankees stance.
'He's young. We'll leave it at that,' Boone laughed. 'I don't think it's a dig at our players. It's an interesting comment as a player to make that, but I think it's a comment of his love of his team.'
3 Hunter Dobbins is greeted by his Red Sox teammates after getting taken out of his May 19 start.
Getty Images
Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe grew up in New Jersey in the exact opposite situation — as a lifelong fan of the pinstripes.
Asked if the fan or player in him thought that was disrespectful, Volpe didn't comment.
But the former top prospect must have thought at one point in his life about what it might be like to be drafted by the Red Sox instead of the Yankees, right?
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'Be where your feet are,' Volpe said.
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Chisholm is used to the reception that was expected for Dobbins.
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He became Public Enemy No. 1 for Royals fans during a playoff series last October when he said Kansas City 'got lucky' to win Game 2 of the series.
The Yankees return to Kansas City for the first time since then on Tuesday.
'I love that,' Chisholm said. 'That's the spiciness you need.'
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Boston Globe
19 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
Red Sox rookies Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer will likely take a seat against tough Yankees southpaws this weekend
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Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Last Night in Baseball: Marcelo Mayer's first multi-homer game powers Red Sox
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They came off of a sweep of the Marlins only to be swept by the Mets, and now the Giants are one game away from a four-game sweep of Colorado. On Tuesday, the Rox blew it in the ninth, but on Wednesday, it only took until the eighth for things to fall apart. The Rockies entered the top of the eighth up 6-3, but then they loaded the bases and walked Casey Schmitt, making it 6-4. Mike Yastrzemski followed up with a double that scored Heliot Ramos and Dominic Smith – 6-6. Things got worse before the inning was over. Schmitt, still on third, attempted to score on a sacrifice bunt by Tyler Fitzgerald. He was originally called out, but the Giants challenged, and the call was overturned: 7-6, Giants. San Francisco would score three more in the top of the ninth, with Schmitt and Yasztremski responsible for two of those runs via singles, and the Rockies couldn't muster enough offense in the bottom of the frame to come back. They're now 12-55, with the most losses for any team through 67 games. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Marcelo Mayer Boston Red Sox Major League Baseball recommended Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Red Sox rookie Marcelo Mayer is starting to heat up at the plate
Red Sox rookie Marcelo Mayer is starting to find his groove at the plate. He had two big swings in Wednesday night's win over the Rays, as he sent a pair of souvenirs into the Fenway Park crowd. The third baseman accounted for half of Boston's four solo home runs in the 4-3 victory, which propelled the Red Sox to the team's second straight series win. After hitting the first Fenway homer of his career in the second inning, Mayer went yard again in the bottom of the fourth. "They felt really good. To get the first one at home was special," Mayer said after the win. "Then obviously to get the second one, anytime you can help the team out offensively it means a lot." Mayer hit his first career homer last Friday night at Yankee Stadium. But that 410-foot shot came in a Boston loss and in enemy territory. Wednesday night's dingers were much more enjoyable for Mayer. "It's always better to hit a homer at home, compared to on the road. I'd much rather get cheered than booed," he said. "It was awesome. I love this place and love the energy Fenway Park brings. It's something I'll remember for the rest of my life." Marcelo Mayer heating up at the plate It's been less than three weeks since Mayer was called up on May 24, but he already looks a lot more comfortable at the dish. Both of Wednesday night's homers were towering blasts to right field, which looks like it will become a sweet spot for the 22-year-old. Mayer launched the first pitch he saw from Rays starter Zack Littell in the second inning -- an 87 mph slider -- 418 feet to right to put Boston on top, 2-1. The ball left his bat at a scorching 108.7 mph for Mayer's hardest hit ball of the season. 418 ft for Mayer! 😤 — Red Sox (@RedSox) June 11, 2025 Two innings later, he took the Tampa righty deep again, crushing a 1-1 splitter 410 feet to nearly the same spot to make it a 3-1 game. That ball left his bat at 104.9 mph. MARCELO x 2 — Red Sox (@RedSox) June 12, 2025 In the first two games of the series, Mayer hit some monster fouls to right field. He straightened those moonshots out on Wednesday, and became just the 10th Red Sox player to have a multi-homer game within their first 15 games. At 22 years and 182 days old, Mayer is the third-youngest player on that list, trailing only Billy Conigliaro (21 years, 244 days) and Ted Williams (20 years, 247 days). "The process always stays the same. I feel more comfortable every single day I'm here. Obviously, a little bit of adjustments on me that have helped me be more on time," said Mayer. "The biggest thing is getting a good pitch to hit and a pitch you can do damage on. Thankfully I was on time and he put it in a good spot for me to do damage. It always feels good to hit a homer." After hitting .222 in his first seven games in the big leagues, Mayer has slashed .294/.400/.882 over his last eight with three homers and a double. He's scored eight runs over the stretch, and has logged at least one hit in four of his last six games. The future is now for the Red Sox, with Mayer, Roman Anthony, and Kristian Campbell -- Boston's "Big 3" of prospects -- all on the Major League club. Growing pains and ups and downs are to be expected, as we've seen with Campbell's lengthy slump and Anthony's cold start. But Mayer is beginning to heat up at the dish, and is starting to showcase his full potential at the big league level for Boston.
