Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees rivalry is back
By Rick McNair
The Boston Red Sox have made substantial moves and are in the hunt for a playoff position. Best of all – so are the New York Yankees.
As a Red Sox fan growing up I felt about the New York Yankees the same way Cato felt about Carthage. A certain level of fear mixed with jealousy and a healthy dose of respect. That was the 1950’s and into the first half of the 1960’s. Every year it was like the swallows returning to Capistrano only it was the dreaded Yankees returning to the World Series.
The rivalry was not what exists today as it was far more mellow simply because the Red Sox were just another bump to roll over on the way to another title. The crowds would still turn out and it was always a moment – rare as it may have been – to kick sand in the bullies face.
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The Yankees – Boston dustups have a bit of edge removed thanks to the 2004 team placing the ultimate playoff embarrassment on the Noo Yawkers. The Red Sox have decided to do some real throwback and make the early stages of this century like the last. Three World Series Titles have a way of bringing a certain level of solace.
The boys are back in town.
New York has demonstrated a paradigm shift in trying to gain some level of relevancy. The flurry of dealings this season have done much to attempt to emulate the Red Sox with youth on the way and some quality seasoned veterans remaining. The house cleaning has had some surprising results as the Yankees have gained substantial traction and are now closing in on a potential playoff slot.
It is all about the Yankees.
The fear is still present among the most seasoned loyalist in Red Sox Nation. The nagging nightmares of some dreadful occurrence when the Red Sox face the Yankees. An apparition of Bucky Dent or Aaron Boone against treating the Red Sox as Van Helsing would treat a vampire. We expect a stake through our emotional heart.
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The dread is there and many Red Sox fans would certainly look to Toronto as the most significant roadblock and the Orioles as another. That is just the way we attempt to convince ourselves when the real eyes of the nation look in the rear view baseball mirror towards New York. The first glimpse of the box score is generally directed to just how the Bombers have done. Who is hot and who is not. Where are they in the standings?
I welcome New York.
Forget Toronto, Baltimore or any of the other rabble that exists in the American League East. I want the Yankees! I want the road to the playoffs to leave Red Sox tire prints on pinstripes. The only real challenge is New York. The only enjoyment is beating New York. Toronto is in another nation and “Big Apple” has a far better ring than “Hog Town.”
The Yankees have a new cast of characters to adorn our more creative tee shirts – Didi Gregorius, Ronald Torreyes, Gary Sanchez and a future Dave Kingman in Aaron Judge. Let them match up with our own young players for a new rivalry. Gregorius is very good, but face it, New York – Xander Bogaerts is better.
Next: Yoan Moncada arrives in Boston
September is upon us and the schedule will often promise of a rekindling of hate, admiration, and respect. Four games coming up in Boston and three in New York. That is where the fun is.