Ben Rice is bringing his dad, Dan Rice, to Philadelphia for the Home Run Derby, hoping to extend a winning tradition that’s seen father-son duos dominate the competition. This isn't just about launching dingers, it's about a bond forged over decades on the diamond.
The Dad Behind the Dingers
Dan Rice isn't just some random guy tossing batting practice. We're talking about a former college pitcher for Brown University, who graduated back in 1986. For more than 30 years, Dan has built a career as a lawyer, focusing on employment disputes. But forget the legal briefs, because according to him, his most important job has always been being a father. He told the New York Post in 2024, right when Ben got called up, that he’s been throwing to his son since he was a toddler. “As soon as he could start whacking things, I was throwing stuff to him,” Dan explained. He even had an ‘L’ Screen, which he called an “unusual suburban accessory,” just so he could throw little tennis balls to Ben before they moved up to the little league field and then other fields as Ben grew. Ben himself backs this up, telling MLB.com that he takes batting practice from his dad *every offseason*. He said, “My dad has always been there for me. Every offseason, I’m going back and making sure I get my BP in with my dad. He always went the extra mile. He’d drive an hour-plus or two hours from Cohasset, and we’d go hit at a local field to get our swings in for the day.” What’s cool is their BP wasn't about nitpicking or instruction. Ben mentioned, “He would try to throw me off-balance with different pitches and have me work through situations. He wanted me to become a good hitter, not necessarily to have a great swing. That was huge in my development.”A Legacy in the Making
This isn't new territory for the Derby. We saw our own Cal Raleigh and his dad, Todd, last year, and before them, Bryce Harper in 2018 and Robinson Cano in 2011, all winning with their fathers on the mound. Ben Rice grew up southwest of Boston in Cohasset, Massachusetts, a Yankees fan through and through, with Derek Jeter as his idol. He was even a hockey player initially before finding his true calling on the diamond. His path to the big leagues wasn't simple either. After playing college ball at Dartmouth, the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out a huge chunk of his college career. But the Yankees took a shot on the Massachusetts-born slugger, putting him on track to the Bronx. When that MLB dream finally came true in 2024, Dan could finally breathe. He confessed, “I was scared to let myself even imagine that this was gonna happen.” Now, father and son are about to share a moment on a massive stage, with millions watching. It’s exactly what baseball is all about. The Home Run Derby in Philadelphia is set to be electric. Will Ben Rice and his dad add another chapter to this incredible father-son story? You know we'll be watching to see if all those years of backyard BP pay off big time under the bright lights.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.