BOSTON — There is an alternate universe in which Ben Rice is an emerging, homegrown Red Sox slugger, beloved by a fan base that has collectively adopted the Cohasset native, and the lefty-swinging masher, who probably has grown a bushy beard, aims nightly at the Green Monster and is tormenting the Yankees in the rivalry’s first action this week.
That universe is not this one, but there were two teams that most closely followed Rice throughout his unorthodox journey to pro ball.
On draft day back on July 11, 2021, Rice — who grew up a Yankees fan but in Red Sox territory — knew he would wind up on one side of the rivalry or the other.
His confidant with the Red Sox, who had followed Rice through a series of leagues both established and makeshift, watched one of his favorites go to the Yankees in the 12th round.