New York Yankees rookie sensation Ben Rice put himself on the map Saturday afternoon when he homered three times in a massive 14-4 win over the Boston Red Sox.
Sparking the lineup from the leadoff spot, Rice had been putting together a solid stretch since being called up to replace Anthony Rizzo on June 16.
But Saturday’s performance put the league on notice.
After his third home run in the seventh inning, Rice was simply enjoying the high of a three-homer game. He didn’t know what to do when it came time for his first curtain call in the Bronx.
“I really didn’t know what they were talking about,” Rice told reporters after Saturday’s game.
After making his way through the line of high-fives from teammates following his home run, Rice then quickly had to make his way back to the other end of the dugout for his curtain call.
“Honestly, it was all happening so fast,” Rice said. “I think I was still coming off the high of hitting a home run and I was just walking through the dugout and I just hear everyone kind of yelling at me to do something.”
A curtain call for @Yankees rookie Ben Rice, who has a 3-homer day! pic.twitter.com/WhhMbEWWRU
— MLB (@MLB) July 6, 2024
It was pretty comical to see Rice rushing around inside the dugout trying to find a way up the steps to the field but once he got to the top, he handled it like a pro.
Rice was the first rookie in Yankees history to hit three home runs in a game. He also joined Tino Martinez and Lou Gehrig as the only first basemen in Yankees history to record three home runs and seven RBI in a single game, according to Katie Sharp.
Rice certainly will give the Yankees something to think about as the trade deadline approaches if he continues to produce at a high level.
