New York Yankees Ben Rice will participate in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on Monday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The 27-year-old, who leads the Yankees with 25 home runs, will be joined by his father, Dan Rice, who will serve as his batting practice pitcher for the event, according to MLB.com.
How Does the Father-Son Dynamic Influence Derby Preparation?
The selection of Dan Rice as a pitcher is a continuation of a lifelong routine. According to Ben Rice, his father—a former pitcher for Brown University in the 1980s—has provided batting practice throughout the younger Rice’s career, ranging from local Massachusetts fields to collegiate summer leagues. Ben Rice told MLB.com that their sessions focus on situational hitting rather than rigid swing mechanics, with the elder Rice often throwing off-balance pitches to simulate game pressure.
Ben Rice is not new to high-stakes power-hitting competitions. During his 2020 summer league tenure, he participated in tie-breaking Home Run Derby contests on three separate occasions.
What Is the Historical Context for Yankees in the Derby?
Participation in the Home Run Derby has yielded varying results for New York Yankees players. While Aaron Judge famously won the competition in 2017, other recent entries have faced early exits. Jazz Chisholm Jr., who represented the team last season, was eliminated in the opening round.
Yankees Home Run Derby Winners:
- Tino Martinez (1997)
- Jason Giambi (2002)
- Robinson Canó (2011)
- Aaron Judge (2017)
Yankees manager Aaron Boone expressed support for the selection, noting the significance of the father-son component. “Hopefully he goes there and does well, and it’ll be a springboard for him into the second half,” Boone stated, as reported by MLB.com.
How Are Players Preparing for the Event?
Preparation for the Derby often involves reviewing past successes to understand the pace and rhythm of the competition. Ben Rice confirmed that he and team captain Aaron Judge reviewed video footage of Judge’s 2017 victory during the team’s recent travel to Tampa. Rice emphasized that his primary goal is to “soak it all in” and enjoy the experience of performing at a major league venue.
For players entering the Derby, veteran participants consistently advise focusing on the atmosphere rather than over-analyzing mechanics. Prioritizing enjoyment can often help mitigate the fatigue associated with high-volume swing cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will pitch to Ben Rice in the Home Run Derby?
Ben Rice will be pitched to by his father, Dan Rice, a former Brown University pitcher.
Where and when will the 2024 Home Run Derby take place?
The event is scheduled for Monday at 8 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and will be broadcast live on Netflix.
How many home runs has Ben Rice hit during his MLB career?
Entering the mid-season stretch, Ben Rice has recorded 58 home runs over his first three seasons in the Major Leagues.
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