Hunter Dobbins Clarifies Statements About His Father and the Yankees
Red Sox rookie Hunter Dobbins has generated controversy following his statements prior to his first start against the Yankees. Dobbins, who had stated that he would retire before playing for the New York team, now explains the reasons behind his claims about his father’s alleged connection to Boston’s rivals.
Dobbins reacted to a report that questioned the claims about his father. The player clarified that his feelings and statements are based on personal experiences and what he heard and saw from his father during his childhood. “At the end of the day, it’s about my father and how I developed my love for the game. But I’m not going to fact-check with my father,” he stated.
In a previous interview, Dobbins had mentioned that his father, Lance Dobbins, was recruited twice by the Yankees before being traded to the Diamondbacks. He also referred to his father’s friendship with Andy Pettitte, who played 15 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Yankees. However, no evidence was found to support these claims in official databases or in the Yankees’ records.
Lance Dobbins’ profile on Baseball-Reference.com does not show any affiliation with the Yankees. The 2025 Red Sox Media Guide mentions Lance in Hunter Dobbins’ biography, stating that he “played for 2 seasons (1996-97) in the Diamondbacks organization”.
Dobbins, who is scheduled to pitch again against the Yankees at Fenway Park on Saturday, has spoken with his father “a little bit, but not really” about the history. “My focus is on Saturday and preparing to face the Yankees,” he said. “This is my first time in the Major Leagues facing a team for the second time in a row. So that’s where my focus is 100 percent.”
The 25-year-old pitcher has a 3-1 record with an ERA of 4.20 this season.
Dobbins acknowledged that he is not surprised by the media attention that this story has generated. “It’s a great rivalry. Two cities with a long history together. Anything that is in the news that involves both will become a story. This adds to the game, and we just have to accept it and move on,” he concluded.
