Red Sox Rookie Hunter Dobbins Would 'Retire' Before Signing a Yankees Contract

Boston Red Sox rookie starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins made it clear that his loyalty to his team runs deep.

While speaking to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald, Dobbins declared that he would never play for the rival New York Yankees after growing up rooting for the Red Sox.

"My dad was a die-hard Red Sox fan," Dobbins said (h/t Bryan Fonseca of the New York Post). "And I’ve said it before, that if the Yankees were the last team to give me a contract, I’d retire."

While he wasn't as much of a fan as his dad, Dobbins still inherited his hatred for the Yankees.

"I didn’t get attached to a team, but I grew up watching (the Red Sox), and just, I think out of disdain for the Yankees, I watched anybody but them," Dobbins added.

When asked which Yankees player he hated the most, Dobbins said, "Can I say all of them but Andy Pettitte? Andy Pettitte and my dad were really good friends."

Dobbins has made nine appearances with seven starts this season and has a 2-1 record with a 4.06 ERA and 37 strikeouts. He will be making his first career start against the Yankees on Sunday Night Baseball, and he's looking forward to making his mark in the rivalry.

"I think whoever I was playing with or whoever I would have been drafted by, I’d still hate the Yankees, so Sunday should be a fun one," Dobbins said. "I’m hoping I hit a career-high in velo or something. … I’m ready for it. Sunday can’t come fast enough."