Yankee Rookie Ben Rice Hits Three Homers

It was Rice — who debuted just two and a half weeks ago — who opened the scoring with a homer, all but ended the game with another and launched himself into Yankees history with a third. 

It was Rice, a 25-year-old who came up through the system without much pedigree as a 12th-rounder from Dartmouth and really without a position, who became the first Yankees rookie ever to blast three home runs in one game. 

Proof of his rawness could be found in his circuitous trip through the dugout after his final shot of the afternoon, trying to find the right spot for his first curtain call as teammates jostled him. 

By the time Rice’s work was done, the Yankees had pounded the Red Sox, 14-4, in front of 45,504 fans in The Bronx.

2024 All-Star Game Presented by Mastercard

The results of the fan vote to determine this year’s All-Star starters were announced on ESPN. The players elected alongside Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and Phillies star Bryce Harper — who had already earned automatic bids as each league’s leading vote-getter in Phase 1 of voting — include both the game’s biggest superstars, like Shohei Ohtani, and electric first-time All-Stars like Gunnar Henderson.

Ten different teams are represented in this year’s All-Star starting lineups, with the Phillies leading the way with three representatives, the Yankees, Orioles, Astros, Guardians, Brewers and Padres sending two each, and the Blue Jays, Dodgers and D-backs sending one. There are eight players who were elected starters by the fans for the first time.

Juan Soto Joins Aaron Judge in All-Star Game Outfield

The Yankees’ Judge was the first player to be named a starter for the AL, on the strength of him leading the league in fan voting at the conclusion of Phase 1. Soto and Cleveland Guardian Steven Kwan were elected following Phase 2 of fan voting.

This is the fourth All-Star Game nod of Soto’s seven-year MLB career.

Chick-fil-A Opens First-Ever Mobile Pickup Restaurant In New York City

In a bold move catering to the hustle and bustle of New York City life, Chick-fil-A just opened its inaugural mobile pickup restaurant in the heart of the Big Apple.

Breaking ground with this innovative concept, Chick-fil-A aims to revolutionize the dining experience for busy urbanites, with plans to introduce a second pioneering drive-thru venture later in the year.

Dubbed Chick-fil-A 79th & 2nd, the new establishment caters exclusively to delivery and mobile app orders, promising New Yorkers a seamless and expedited pickup encounter. Operating without a traditional dining area, the focus will be on efficiency and convenience without compromising Chick-fil-A’s renowned hospitality.

Fans conveniently place their orders for delivery or carryout via the Chick-fil-A App or online platform. Utilizing geofencing technology, the restaurant is notified when customers are en route, ensuring orders are promptly prepared to synchronize with their arrival. Inside, real-time status boards update guests and delivery drivers on the readiness of their orders, facilitating a smooth and efficient process.

New York Mets Over Houston Astros 7-2

Francisco Alvarez hit a first-inning sacrifice fly and Francisco Lindor added an eighth-inning RBI double for the Mets, who improved to 16-6 this month — the best record in the majors — and moved over .500 at 40-39.

Jose Quintana muddled his way through four innings throwing 93 pitches with only 54 strikes. He was touched for a Jose Altuve HR in the first, a run the Mets got back with a Francisco Alvarez sacrifice fly in the bottom half of the inning. Astros got a single run in the third to take the lead but for them that was it. Four Met relievers shut out the Astros the rest of the way.

A 7-2 win puts the a Mets a game over .500 for the first time in nearly two months and gives them a legitimate chance to finish over .500 when the month is done.