“I don’t go and fact check my dad": Hunter Dobbins sets record straight on Yankees ties, denies father’s influence on rivalry
Boston Red Sox rookie Hunter Dobbins has caught all the spotlight following his comments on the New York Yankees. His remark on not wanting to play for the Yankees went viral on social media.
He noted that he’d rather retire than sign with the Yankees. His animosity for the Yankees stems both from his team’s storied rivalry and his father being a die-hard Red Sox fan.
MLB insider Joel Sherman posted a correction of his comments. The NY Post noted that his father, Lance Dobbins, was never part of the Yankees.
As per his words to the Boston Herald, Dobbin’s father got drafted by the Yankees twice before being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, the Yankees have no records of drafting him.
Hunter Dobbins addressed the media before their game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, saying his hatred for the Yankees was not influenced by his father. It was his emotions and his “personal experiences.”
“The whole backstory, stuff that I had heard growing up, and seen pictures from my dad -- at the end of the day, it's just from my dad, and what kind of grew my love for the game. But at the end of the day, I don't go and fact-check my dad or anything like that.”
He doubled down, saying it was just a comment that shouldn’t have gotten this much spotlight.
As per records, Lance played independent ball during 1996-97. The info is noted both in the Hunter Texas Tech and the 2025 Red Sox guide. It was mentioned that he was part of the Diamondbacks.
Yankees players react to Hunter Dobbins’ comment
![Hunter Dobbins, Aaron Judge, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. [Source: Imagn]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/06/d043c-17496954927491-1920.jpg?w=500)
It didn’t take long for the Yankees players to react to Hunter Dobbins’ comments. The first to mention and hype the trash-talk was Jazz Chisholm Jr.
He said he wished “trash talks” like this to increase to elevate the tension in the game. Manager Aaron Boone was not bothered by Dobbins' comments and brushed them off.
Captain Aaron Judge admitted being surprised by Dobbins' comment. He said he “only heard Ken Griffey Jr. say that.” While Chisholm was all about the hype, he acknowledged the comments “closes doors” for potential opportunities in the future.