BOSTON — Hunter Dobbins, a rookie pitcher for the Red Sox, stirred up some controversy leading up to his first career start against the Yankees after expressing he would rather retire than play for New York. Following that, he clarified remarks regarding his father’s alleged history with the Yankees, which a recent New York Post report challenged as fictitious.
Dobbins responded to the Post’s claims on Wednesday, emphasizing that his feelings about the rivalry are rooted in personal experiences rather than family legacy. “My feelings and all that are based on my personal experiences and nothing to do with growing up or family,” he stated. Dobbins recalled stories and photos shared by his father, which influenced his passion for baseball, but admitted he doesn’t verify these anecdotes.
In a feature by the Boston Herald, Dobbins claimed that his father, Lance Dobbins, had been drafted twice by the Yankees before his stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Post, however, found no documentation to support this assertion, referencing both official baseball databases and the Yankees’ records, which revealed that Lance Dobbins was not affiliated with the Yankees. Notably, his profile on Baseball-Reference.com only lists time spent in the Diamondbacks organization.
As Dobbins prepares to pitch again against the Yankees at Fenway Park on Saturday, he has maintained his focus on the game despite the attention surrounding the controversy. “This is my first time in the big leagues facing a team for a second time, let alone back-to-back,” he remarked. Dobbins acknowledged the rivalry as a significant part of the sport, one that is bound to generate headlines. “Anything that’s kind of in the news that goes with both of them, that’s going to turn into a story. It adds to the game,” he said, encouraging players to embrace the situation and move forward.
With a current record of 3-1 and a 4.20 ERA this season, Hunter Dobbins is looking ahead to making his mark in this storied rivalry, which he believes ultimately adds excitement to the game. His determined mindset reflects a hopeful attitude as he faces a critical matchup that could further define his rookie season.