I was a 13-year-old stud, planted on my living room futon for the late afternoon game. Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez had just flung 72-year-old Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer by his skull onto the smooth cut grass of the infield. Few things in life have gotten me more fired up than that moment.
The last decade and a half have been the most heated of the existing competition between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. It stands as the fiercest rivalry in all of professional sports, with the Yankees reigning superior.
In the late 1990s, the Yankees dynasty began at the foot of the Red Sox’s door. From 1996 through present day, the Yankees have held their ground at the top of the American League East. Boston has won all of one division crowns during this stretch of 15 years, compared to New York’s 11.
The Yankees have been victorious in World Series appearances in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009, compared to the Red Sox’s 2004 and 2007 victories. The most notable highlights over recent years took place in 2003 and 2004.
In ‘03, the rivalry was at its peak during the time of the ALCS. Bean balls and bench clearing brawls were relevant during game three of the series involving Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez and Karim Garcia.
During game seven, the Red Sox blew the lead late in the game to the Bronx Bombers. In extras, Aaron Boone laced a Tim Wakefield pitch over the left field wall to bring the Yankees to yet another World Series appearance.
The playoffs of ‘04 are a period of time Yankee fans have permanently erased from their recollections. Known as perhaps the steepest collapse in sports history, the Red Sox came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Yankees and advance to the World Series.
The most overlooked aspect of rivalries is the role of the average player. The Yankees and Red Sox rivalry has given guys like Aaron Boone and Aaron Small the platform and spotlight to go from an average teammate to a heroic icon over one clutch moment.
The Red Sox have caught on to the theme of spending big money during past years. Since Boston’s World Series victory in ‘04, they have bolstered their pitching staff and acquired explosive bats to counter what the Yankees have done.
This season, the Red Sox have dominated the Yankees head to head, winning eight out of the first nine contests, and have a record of 11-4 against the Bombers.
However, the Yankees are leading the division with two weeks left by 4.5 games. The rivalry will only get more intense as the playoffs are upon us.
Winning is in the Yankees’ bloodstream. Their 27 championships are valid proof and stand as the most all time in any sport. The passion trickles down the foreheads of the players and the fans. The intense crowds, competitive athletes and extraordinary moments are what sports are all about.
Tim Shanahan can be reached at tshanahan@spartans.ut.edu.
I was just going to write that there isn’t a metaphor left untouched in this editorial. Someone’s English teacher is either proud or getting ready to use “the red pen.”
Really went all out on the cliches in this didn’t you?