How Yankees’ Ben Rice truly feels about Mets rivalry

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How Yankees’ Ben Rice truly feels about Mets rivalry

Originally posted on MLB on ClutchPoints
By Alex House, ClutchPoints | Last updated May 16, 2026 9:27 PM ET

Massachusetts native Ben Rice grew up a New York Yankees fan, so he had a strong appreciation for the Subway Series long before he even wore the Pinstripes. However, the burgeoning star first baseman has a whole new respect for the team’s rivalry with the New York Mets now that he is an active participant in it.

Before Saturday’s collision in Flushing, Rice explained the joy of competing in this Big Apple battle.

“It’s so fun,” he told Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal before first pitch. “The first time I got to experience it was my rookie season in 2024 shortly after I debuted. It was here at Citi Field, and you could just feel the intensity in the crowd. It’s such a historic rivalry, and it feels like each year it’s more intense, so I’ve been really enjoying it.”

Ben Rice spoke with @Ken_Rosenthal about what playing in the Subway Series means to him and his journey to get here. pic.twitter.com/izDrdPCcRU

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 16, 2026

The Dartmouth College graduate is truly having a surreal big-league experience. Rice is not only playing in the inter-league matchup he passionately watched as a kid, but he is doing so as one of the best hitters in MLB.

Entering Saturday’s Mets game, the 27-year-old left-handed batter led his peers with a 1.104 OPS and .686 slugging percentage and ranked in the top-10 with 14 home runs and a .418 on-base percentage. New York knew that Rice boasted plenty of power from his terrific tenure in the minor leagues, but he is smashing expectations in his third year with the Yankees. A .300-plus bating average speaks to the massive strides he has made at the dish.

Ben Rice has already left a mark on the 2026 iteration of the Subway Series, blasting a 395-foot homer and recording three hits in Friday’s 5-2 win. He will try to punish the Mets some more this weekend, as his dreamlike season continues.

This article first appeared on MLB on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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