Game 3 of the Red Sox–Yankees series will be remembered for one name: Connelly Early. The 22-year-old left-hander etched his name into Boston’s history books with a performance that stunned both fans and critics, rewriting what it means to step up under the brightest lights of baseball’s fiercest rivalry.
Early, a rookie just months into his Major League journey, delivered a record-breaking outing at Yankee Stadium, becoming the first Red Sox pitcher to strike out 15 batters in fewer than seven innings against New York. His fastball had late life, his slider baffled hitters, and his composure never wavered. From the first pitch, he attacked the Yankees’ lineup with fearless precision, setting the tone for a night that felt like a changing of the guard.
The moment of history came in the sixth inning, when Early fanned Yankees slugger Aaron Judge for his 15th strikeout, surpassing Pedro Martínez’s long-standing mark against New York. The Boston dugout erupted, and even the notoriously hostile Bronx crowd couldn’t help but recognize the dominance unfolding before them.
What made the performance even more special was the context: the Red Sox were trailing in the series, needing a win to avoid falling into a deep hole. Early didn’t just pitch—he delivered hope. Boston’s offense responded in kind, with Rafael Devers launching a crucial home run in the seventh to seal a 4–2 victory.
After the game, Early humbly deflected the praise, calling it “just another step in helping this team win.” But Red Sox fans know it was much more. In a rivalry defined by legends, Connelly Early’s Game 3 masterpiece is destined to be remembered as one of those rare nights when a new star was born.
