'You're taught to just hate the Yankees': New York...
Key takeaways
- On the mound, Walpole, Massachusetts' own Cam Schlittler is the early American League Cy Young favorite in his first full major league season.
- Years later, they both love trying to beat the Red Sox.
- "It's unspoken for the most part, but whenever we're playing Boston we're like, 'Hey, let's go!'" Rice said before his team's four-game weekend series against the Red Sox.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
As kids living in the shadow of Fenway Park, Ben Rice (above) rooted for the Yankees and Cam Schlittler was a Red Sox fan. Now, they both want to beat Boston. Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images Jorge Castillo Jun 26, 2026, 10:30 AM ETClose ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the Washington Wizards from 2014 to 2016 and the Washington Nationals from 2016 to 2018 for The Washington Post before covering the Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB for the Los Angeles Times from 2018 to 2024.Follow on XMultiple AuthorsEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsIf being mired in last place while the visiting New York Yankees are in first weren't infuriating enough for Boston Red Sox fans, consider this: The two youngsters whose breakout seasons are lighting up the Bronx were born and raised minutes from Fenway Park.
On the mound, Walpole, Massachusetts' own Cam Schlittler is the early American League Cy Young favorite in his first full major league season. In the lineup, Ben Rice -- from Cohasset -- is posting MVP-level production in his third big league campaign. Both grew up attending games in the shadow of the Green Monster, though with different rooting interests: Schlittler was a Red Sox fan while Rice braved cheering for their archnemesis.
Years later, they both love trying to beat the Red Sox.