Hunter Dobbins Addresses Contradictory Story About Father’s Yankees History

Hunter Dobbins quickly pointed to his father when discussing the confusion surrounding his past statements.

Before the Red Sox faced the Rays at Fenway Park on Wednesday, Dobbins reacted to a post that highlighted inconsistencies in his narrative about his father’s ties to the Yankees. “The whole backstory, that was what I heard from my dad growing up and seeing the photos,” Dobbins explained. “After all, it comes from my father. I’ve grown my love for the game, and honestly, I don’t really fact-check my dad.”

Dobbins became a topic of conversation when he shared with the Boston Herald that he had considered retiring instead of playing for the Yankees, mentioning that his father, Lance, had been drafted twice by the team but ultimately signed elsewhere and was later traded to the Diamondbacks.

However, Joel Sherman from the Post noted that there are no records of Lance Dobbins being drafted by the Yankees, and the Yankees’ general manager, Brian Cashman, who’s been with the organization since 1986, could not recall any draft involving him.

Cashman confirmed to Sherman that the team’s amateur division reviewed their records and found no trace of Lance Dobbins as a draft pick.

Moreover, Joe Garagiola Jr. and Buck Showalter, who were involved with the Diamondbacks in the 1990s, stated that they did not remember Lance Dobbins either.

The MLB also couldn’t locate a player named Lance Dobbins in its records across all 30 teams.

When asked if he had cleared things up with his father, Dobbins replied, “Not at all.” He emphasized his focus on an upcoming game against the Yankees. “It’s my first big league matchup against them, and I’m all in,” he said, hinting that perhaps he would think about discussing this later.

Dobbins also mentioned his father’s friendship with Yankees legend Andy Pettitte. However, Pettitte later told Sherman that neither he nor anyone in his family could recall Lance Dobbins.

In response to the controversy, Dobbins attempted to minimize its significance. “It doesn’t bother me,” he said. “I love working with the media. Everyone’s been great. My priority is playing for my teammates and the Boston fans.”

Dobbins admitted he was not surprised by the attention his comments attracted.

In his last outing, he pitched five innings, allowing three runs, and secured his first career win during the Red Sox’s 11-7 victory over the Yankees.

Looking ahead, he is slated to start again against the Yankees at Fenway Park on Saturday. “It’s a fierce rivalry between two cities with deep histories,” he remarked. “Whatever happens will just add to the narrative, and we have to embrace it and keep moving forward.”