Ben Rice Hit 40th and 41st Home Runs
The Yankees slugger joined franchise legends with a two-homer performance against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Baseball
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Ben Rice reached 41 home runs this season after hitting two in Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. He is now the second Yankees draft pick ever to record 40 or more home runs in a single season.
Why it matters
Rice has cemented himself among elite company by joining Aaron Judge and Joe DiMaggio as one of the few Yankees to hit 40 or more home runs within their first three MLB seasons. This production provides a crucial boost to the team as they prepare for the upcoming postseason.
Rice reached 41 home runs on the season, surpassing the 26 he recorded over 138 games in 2025. He currently maintains an .897 OPS, an increase from the .836 OPS he posted throughout the previous season.
The players
Ben Rice
He is a rising Yankees star and draft pick who reached the 40-home-run milestone within three years of his MLB debut.
Aaron Judge
He is an established Yankees power hitter who set a franchise benchmark with 52 home runs in 2017.
Joe DiMaggio
He was a legendary Yankees outfielder who hit 46 home runs during his prolific 1937 season.
New York Yankees
They are a professional baseball organization based in New York City that is currently preparing for the American League postseason.
Tampa Bay Rays
They are a professional baseball team that served as the opponent during the recent game where Rice set his new record.
The details
Rice reached the milestone during his matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays, continuing a breakout trajectory that began with his 2024 MLB debut. His performance places him in rare company, as only Judge and DiMaggio achieved similar power numbers within their initial three seasons of play.
Timeline
Joe DiMaggio hit 46 home runs in 1937.
Aaron Judge hit 52 home runs in 2017.
Ben Rice made his MLB debut in 2024.
Ben Rice recorded 26 home runs over 138 games in 2025.
Ben Rice hit his 40th and 41st home runs on Wednesday, Sept 23, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Rice's emergence as a power threat fundamentally alters the Yankees' outlook for the American League Wild Card series against the Boston Red Sox. His recent production helps mitigate uncertainty regarding the availability of Aaron Judge, who is managing a calf injury.
Rice's ability to maintain an .897 OPS provides a reliable offensive anchor for the Yankees as they face a potential absence of Aaron Judge in the Wild Card round. Fantasy managers should note his late-season surge as a primary driver of the team's current power numbers.
The takeaway
Ben Rice has demonstrated an elite power capacity that rivals historic Yankee performances early in a career. Implementing a consistent approach to the plate has allowed him to sustain his high OPS through the end of the regular season.
Further reading
For more on the team's postseason preparation, visit the Baseball section.
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