New York, NY — A heartbreaking discovery was made just minutes ago in a quiet Manhattan park, where a newborn baby was found abandoned near a bench by an early morning jogger. Wrapped in only a thin hospital blanket, the child was rushed to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

But out of this devastating moment has come an extraordinary act of compassion—courtesy of rising New York Yankees rookie Ben Rice.

According to sources close to the situation, Rice was made aware of the incident by a family friend working in local emergency services. The 25-year-old catcher, who has quickly become one of the most promising young names in baseball, didn’t hesitate. Within hours, he contacted child welfare authorities and volunteered to become the child’s legal guardian, pledging to personally fund all expenses—housing, education, healthcare, and daily care—through the child’s 18th birthday.

“I know what it means to be given a shot in life,” Rice said in a brief but emotional statement. “This baby didn’t get a choice in how life started—but I can help write the next chapters.”

Though new to the spotlight, Rice has already earned a reputation in the Yankees organization for his maturity and heart. Today’s act of generosity has sent shockwaves through social media, with the hashtag #BenRiceStepsUp trending within an hour of the news breaking.

“He’s not just a good player—he’s a good man,” one fan posted. “New York didn’t just find its future catcher. We found a hero.”

Footage reportedly shows Rice arriving at the hospital, quietly holding the child and speaking softly in the neonatal unit. Hospital staff described him as “calm, caring, and all-in from the moment he walked through the doors.”

Teammates and coaches have expressed overwhelming support, with one clubhouse source saying, “This is the kind of guy you want on your team—for baseball and for life.”

Officials with New York City’s child services are working closely with Rice’s legal team to ensure the proper guardianship process is followed, but confirmed that his offer is being taken seriously.

“This baby was abandoned, but not alone,” said one social worker. “What Ben is doing—it’s extraordinary. He didn’t just step up. He showed up.”

As this touching story continues to unfold, Yankees fans and New Yorkers alike are united in admiration. From the dugout to the delivery room, Ben Rice is proving that heroes don’t always wear capes—sometimes they wear pinstripes.