Two years back, on June 18, 2024, Ben Rice made his debut in the MLB playing for the New York Yankees. More than two years later, life comes full circle as the first baseman will participate in the Home Run Derby. This news has left the fans overjoyed. 

As reported by the MLB official account on X on July 7, Ben Rice will be in the Home Run Derby scheduled for July 13, which will be telecast live on Netflix at 8 pm ET with special coverage beginning at 7 pm ET. After announcing the news, MLB dropped a throwback video of Ben Rice from his childhood.

“A full circle moment for Ben Rice and his dad as they turn backyard Home Run Derby dreams into reality,” read the caption. 

The video captured little Ben Rice playing with his dad, a former college baseball pitcher, Dan Rice, playing baseball in their backyard without realizing that years later the dream would actually come true.

Held every year, the MLB Home Run Derby features the league's best power hitters competing in a home run contest.

As reported by USA Today, for the Home Run Derby, the Yankees slugger will be pitched to by his father. A former Brown pitcher, Dan Rice has been helping his son with batting practice since his early years.

“That was always a lifelong dream of both of ours,” Ben Rice said Tuesday, June 7, before New York took on the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. “So I am really looking forward to it.”

Instead of their backyard, they'll share the moment at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Monday, July 13, in front of a nationwide audience. And the fans are already thrilled. 

Fans react to Ben Rice's special milestone

At the moment, Ben Rice leads the Yankees with 26 homers this season. This made one of the fan comment on how the legend and one of the greatest hitters in the history of the sport, Ted Williams, would appreciate the 27-year-old’s accomplishments, under MLB's post.

“Ted Williams would have loved to be there watching that swing,” he wrote. 

Another fan drew a comparison to Yankees great Lou Gehrig, whose 23 career grand slams remained an MLB record for over seven decades. “Looks like a young Lou Gehrig,” the fan wrote. 

The fact that his dad will be throwing to Ben Rice made a fan emotional. “Who’s cutting onions?!?!?” he commented. 

The duo has been practicing in their backyard since the 1980s and it’s finally happening, leaving another fan happy to see the father-son’s dream come true. “That’s some good nostalgia for sure. Cool to see dreams come to life like this,” read the comment. 

Ben Rice now has the chance to become the fifth Yankees player to win the Home Run Derby. But a fan is more excited about the father-son reunion.

“Ben Rice and his dad turning childhood memories into reality is such a beautiful reminder of where every dream begins,” wrote a fan.

Ben Rice will compete at Citizens Bank Park, where left-handed hitters have traditionally enjoyed favorable conditions.

What are your thoughts on Ben Rice’s dreams coming true? Let us know in the comments. 

Read more at New York Yankees Community.

Written by

Soheli Tarafdar

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar