Red Sox vs Yankees: Greatest rivalry in sports history
As the Red Sox open a series with the Yankees tonight, let’s take a look back at the most memorable moments in this rivalry
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees rivalry is known as one of the greatest rivalries in sports. It has also been one of the longest. But, the rivalry has been said to have died down recently.
Some people are beginning to say that we can’t even call this a rivalry anymore, which is understandable. The teams just haven’t been as competitive as they have in the past. This is the first time in about nine years that the two teams have been at the top of their division. In recent years, one of the teams is usually doing well and the other isn’t. With both teams performing very well this season and being the top two teams in the division, this season could give the rivalry the opportunity to revitalize.
As the Red Sox begin a four-game series with Yankees tonight, let’s take a look at some of the best moments in this rivalry. These are moments that have helped shape the rivalry. Moments that fans will never forget. Moments that the players and coaches on the teams will never forget. These are the moments that everyone wants to see more of.
So, here they are, the best moments in the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry.
October 11th, 2003
This is one of the most memorable moments in MLB history. It was Game 3 of the 2003 ALCS and tension was high between the two teams. The starting pitcher for the Sox was Pedro Martinez, while Roger Clemons was the starter for the Yanks.
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It all started with Pedro hitting Karim Garcia in the back in the 4th inning. This did not make Garcia happy at all and he immediately started yelling at Pedro. Both benches were then warned. Next , Garcia was forced out at second that same inning and slid hard into Sox second baseman, Todd Walker. Garcia then got up and got in Walker’s face. This caused Pedro to start talking and gesturing towards the Yankees dugout. This, of course ignited the “Yankees Suck” chant from the Fenway crowd.
When the Red Sox came up to hit the same inning, Clemons threw a ball up and in on Manny Ramirez. Manny started walking towards the mound which then caused the benches to clear.
The most memorable part of this fight was the incident between Pedro and Yankees bench coach, Don Zimmer. In the middle of the bench-clearing fiasco, Zimmer charged at Pedro. Pedro then proceeded to throw Zimmer down. After the altercation, Zimmer apologized and accepted full responsibility for his actions.
July 24, 2004
Personally, this is one of my favorite Sox-Yankees moments. This was a regular season match-up at Fenway Park between the two teams.
The incident all started with Red Sox pitcher, Bronson Arroyo hitting Alex Rodriguez in the elbow. Not appreciating the pitch, A-Rod started yelling at Arroyo when he was walking down the line. Catcher Jason Varitek then stepped in, getting into A-Rod’s face and they began exchanging heated words. Varitek then stuffed his glove in A-Rod’s face and picked him up. The benches cleared and an all out brawl begun.
The most memorable moment of this fight was when Yankees pitcher, Tanyon Sturtze, came up from behind and got Red Sox outfielder, Gabe Kapler in a choke hold. With the assistance from his teammate, Trot Nixon, Kapler got Sturtze on the ground and just pounded him.
This all resulted in both A-Rod and Varitek getting suspended 4 games and fined $2,000. Kapler, Nixon, and Sturtze all got suspended 3 games and fined $1,000.
“The Curse”
Although, this isn’t a brawl or anything like that, this is a very memorable moment in the Sox-Yanks rivalry. It’s what started it all. It’s what started “The Curse of the Bambino”.
In 1918, Red Sox owner, Harry Frazee sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for cash. It is rumored that this helped Frazee finance a Broadway musical, No, No, Nanette. For 86 years, 1918 to 2004, the Red Sox never won a championship. They were said to be cursed. This “curse” is backed with a ton of results that goes to show that the Red Sox were cursed.
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Some of the most famous events include blowing a 14-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East Division in 1978. They played in a one-game playoff and lost it 5-4.
Another memorable event in “The Curse of Bambino” is in the 1986 World Series against the New York Mets in Game 6 when Red Sox first baseman, Bill Buckner let a routine ground ball go between his legs causing the Mets to win Game 6. The Mets went on to win Game 7, winning the World Series.
Another famous moment that added to “The Curse” was when the Red Sox were playing in Game 7 of the ALCS in 2003 against the Yankees. The Sox were up 5-2 in the 8th inning when Red Sox manager, Grady Little, choose to stay with starter Pedro Martinez. The Yankees ended up rallying and coming back to tie the game. In the 11th inning, Yankeees player, Aaron Boone, hit a walk-off home run to advance the Yanks to the World Series.
These are just a few of the moments that helped shape “The Curse”.
2004 ALCS
Who can forget the 2004 ALCS? This series is one of the most famous postseason series’ in MLB history. This series was packed with all sorts of Red Sox-Yankees drama. The Red Sox were looking to end the 86-year championship drought, but it did not look well at all for the Sox being down 3-0 in the series.
The Red Sox were down one run in the bottom of the ninth inning. With the infamous Dave Roberts steal and Bill Mueller single, the Red Sox tied the game. The game went into extra-innings. In the bottom of the twelfth inning, David Ortiz walked it off for the Sox with a two-run home run.
Fast forward to Game 5 the next night. Again, Ortiz won it for the Sox with a single in the 14th inning.
In the next game, Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling pitched in the famous “Bloody Sock Game”. Later in that game, there was an incident that sparked the rivalry between the two teams even more. In the eighth inning, Alex Rodriguez hit a dribbler back to Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo. Arroyo fielded it and attempted to tag Rodriguez. Rodriguez then slapped Arroyo’s glove causing Arroyo to drop the ball. The ball rolled down the foul line giving the Yankees the opportunity to score a run. Red Sox manager, Terry Francona, argued the call which ended in the umpires calling Rodriguez out and sent the player who scored for the Yankees back to second base.
Boston went on to win that game and blow out the Yankees in Game 7 as well. Then the Red Sox went on to win the World Series that year too, ending the 86-year championship drought.
Renewing the Rivalry
It is safe to say that the Red Sox and Yankees have had some pretty interesting moments in the past years. “The Curse”, Pedro vs. Zimmer, Tek vs. A-Rod, and the unforgettable 2004 ALCS. These are all moments all Red Sox fans will never forget.
These are the moments that have helped shape one of the best rivalries in sports. It has been an exciting rivalry that has interested people all over the baseball world. Both teams are performing very well this season. The Red Sox are in 1st place in the division with the Yankees not far behind in 2nd place.
With the chance to add more to the rivalry this season, tonight can be a start to it. It can revitalize the rivalry that fans want it to be. There’s also a very good chance that these two teams will meet up in the playoffs this year. That can really spark the rivalry.
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With that all being said, it’s safe to say it’s going to be a fun rest of the season. Let’s hope the Sox perform well and add to their division lead over the Yankees.