For the second straight year, the Home Run Derby will feature a New York Yankee. Amidst a breakout 2026 campaign, infielder Ben Rice announced on Tuesday that he will participate in the All-Star break’s most popular event. The 26-year-old is the second confirmed participant, with Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero being the first. Rice’s father, Dan Rice, will throw to him.
A Monster 2026 Season
Few players have hit the ball better than Rice this season. Through 85 games, the Massachusetts native has the eighth-best OPS (.925), fifth most home runs (25), and fourth-best slugging percentage (.565) in the majors. All those marks lead the Yankees, as do his 84 hits, 57 RBI, and .360 on-base percentage.
On Sunday, Rice was named an American League All-Star reserve, joining the Athletics’ Nick Kurtz as the first base selections.
The Legacy He’s Joining
Fittingly, the Bronx Bombers have a storied history at the Home Run Derby. In 1997, the year he hit a career-high 44 home runs, first baseman Tino Martinez beat out Colorado Rockies outfielder Larry Walker to capture the title.
Five years later, slugger Jason Giambi outlasted Chicago Cubs power hitter Sammy Sosa. The latter hit four home runs over 500 feet, but Giambi’s 24 long balls outdid Sosa’s 18.
2008 saw Yankee Stadium host the All-Star festivities for the first and only time in the 21st century. Coincidentally, the Bronx Bombers’ home ballpark was the site of Josh Hamilton’s single-round record of 28 home runs. However, Hamilton lost in the final round to Minnesota Twins’ slugger Justin Morneau.
In 2011, Robinson Cano became the third Yankee to win the Home Run Derby. After he and Adrian Gonzalez clubbed 23 home runs through two rounds, Cano edged the Boston Red Sox’s power hitter by one long ball in the final round.
Six years later, then-rookie Aaron Judge hit 47 total home runs to win the Yankees’ fourth Home Run Derby in franchise history. The team sent Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the event last season, although he fizzled out with three home runs in the first round.
More Details
The 2026 All-Star festivities, hosted at Citizens Bank Park, begin on Friday, July 10, with the HBCU Swingman Classic. That event is followed by the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday.
On Sunday, the brightest stars take the field for the All-Star Futures Game. The next day is the Home Run Derby, with the All-Star Game itself concluding the festivities on Tuesday.
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