Every fan will have their opinion of course, but when we talk about rivalry in baseball. However, talked about by fans of the teams and non-fans alike is the storied and long history of the rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. There is almost every emotion in this relationship. Love, hate, anger, respect, you can find them all. Let’s look at some of them in more detail.
The Start of The Curse
The year is 1919, Babe Ruth is a member of the Red Sox, as the season ends the Sox decide to sell the contract to the Yankees. Do you believe in curses? Can they affect an entire team? Many, many Red Sox fans believed so and this could be considered the start of the heavy rivalry between the two teams. Before this sale, the Red Sox were one of the more successful teams while the Yankees struggled. Afterwards, the Red Sox had a drought of 86 years while the Yankees went on to unprecedented dominance in baseball. Coincidence? Sure it could be, but really, who knows the power of the curse of the Bambino.
Down to the Wire So Many Times
Since 1995 the playoffs have had one if not both of these teams, many times both of them. The rivalry just gets stronger each time. Great and talented men have been on both teams and have pushed the limits of talent. One of the biggest highlights being in 2004 when the Yankees were up 3-0 in the divisional championship and the Red Sox were able to come back and win. This, of course, led to the curse finally being broken. After so many years the Red Sox finally ended their draught and won the World Series.
Love and Hate Relationship
The best of both worlds collide when talking about this rivalry. The trash talking between fans is never-ending. The calls, spats, finger pointing and outright balls to the wall fighting on the field are eternal. However, in horrible, difficult times, these rivals on the field are the first to offer love and support and anything else they can when needed. In the aftermath of the 9-11 attacks, fans and players alike did all they could to emotionally and physically help with recovery. Then years later when there was a bombing at the Boston marathon, New Yorkers did the same.
A New Era Showcasing the Rivalry
Starting next year, the MLB will join the NFL in playing games in London. The MLB commission decided that the teams that would be chosen first to represent all of baseball will be the Red Sox and Yankees. This is due in no small part to the ongoing rivalry and how they bring everything to the field when they play each other. The thinking being they would put on the best show for this new live audience and keep the interest up as well as draw in new fans.
One of the best things about this rivalry is the underlying love and respect there is for the other team. Too many rivalries in other sports become too nasty, too bitter and therefore lose the entertainment value. This one has not and we continue to and will continue to for many years to come.
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