Yankees rookie Ben Rice hits 1st big league homer after being moved into leadoff spot
New York Yankees' Ben Rice reacts to fans cheering for him after flying out to Baltimore Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Pamela Smith]
NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Rice had fantasized about his first major league home run, and then he hit a drive into the Judge’s Chambers in Yankee Stadium’s right-field seats. Rice said “it’s way cooler to actually do it than just dream about it” after his fifth-inning shot off Frankie Montas in New York’s 8-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. A 25-year-old who made his big league debut on June 18, Rice was moved into the leadoff spot 15 games into his career when slumping Anthony Volpe was dropped to sixth in the batting order.
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New York Yankees' Ben Rice celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Thursday, July 4, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Pamela Smith