Is the "Greatest Rivalry In Sports" what it used to be?

[YeAuldBroade]

In my opinion... NO!

 

1). It's over-hyped. Whenever you beat something to death it turns people away. The Networks, in trying to beef up ratings, always tout the Yanks vs. the Sox as a battle to the death, people loathe that much hyperbole. Furthermore, as we all know, even the Sox/Yanks play the ocassional snooze fest.

 

2). We play each other too many times a year. When they changed the schedule a few years back - so East plays East more - and West plays West more -.... I think it was a huge mistake. While I'm not a huge fan of Royals/Red Sox - I'm not any more of a fan of Blue Jays/Red Sox. It takes away some of the imporance of each Sox/Yankee game by there now be so many more (too many).

 

3). These Yankees just ain't ugly enough. They used to be a team you could really HATE, not just want to beat but to end up bloodied on the battlefield, deserted by family and forced to live in shame.. Now they're the manicured set of nice guy Jeter and Mr. Rivera the class of baseball. note: Although I do have to say Joba the Hut and A-rod do give me hope for the future - 'cause you can really sink your teeth into despising these two guys.

 

What's your opinion on the rivaly? As good as the bad old days? Better? or Just as intense but different?

[BoSox21]

I think over the course of history the rivalry has had peaks and valleys in terms of intensity and right now, it's just in a valley.

[YeAuldBroade]

True enough.. except I think this valley has been caused by outside factors and will not peak again.

[example1]

The rivalry isn't what it was a few years ago because they aren't the two best teams in baseball hands-down.

 

However, the rivalry has had more life than just the 2003-2009 stretch and there is absolutely something special about it.

 

The last two games are a perfect example of how good this rivalry is. I would bet that both teams' fans experienced a degree of elation and a degree of disgust in one of the past two games and that speaks volumes. The Yankees have a special way of enraging Sox fans and the games--for all their hyperbole--are still must see TV IMO.

 

Add to that near-Red Sox players like A-Rod and Teixeira, the Sox ability to get to Rivera and the Yankees ability to get to Papelbon etc., and the teams are still really interesting to watch. I think the rivalry will get really hot again as the Yankees start to lose their "old guard" and the Sox start integrating and continue developing their best young players.

[yeszir]

It's not like it was in 03/04.

 

I agree, the teams play each other too much that it really dulls the excitement.

[TheMino007]

It's not like it was in 03/04.

 

I agree, the teams play each other too much that it really dulls the excitement.

 

I agree, 03/04 was when the rivalry was at its peak, both teams were playing so well and there were so many incidents. "Who is Kareem Garcia,"- Pedro. Jeff Nelson and Garica attacked a Fenway grounds keeper in the bullpen. Pedro throw Zimmer to the ground. Those days were heated.

[italstallianion]

It would also help if there was a fight or two on the field. The last good one was in 2004. Coincidence?

[YeAuldBroade]

I agree' date=' 03/04 was when the rivalry was at its peak, both teams were playing so well and there were so many incidents. "Who is Kareem Garcia,"- Pedro. Jeff Nelson and Garica attacked a Fenway grounds keeper in the bullpen. Pedro throw Zimmer to the ground. Those days were heated.[/quote']

I disagree completely that the height of the rivalry was 03/04 that was whiny ball compared to the Munson/Fisk era. In those days the Yankees didn't bathe and the players literally hated each other, on and off the field.

 

03/04 was the height of that decade but nothing more.

[TheMino007]

My bad, well its not entirley my fault I mean I wasn't alive back then. When Fisk fought that guy and when Bill Lee messed up his shoulder, that was intense. You don't see that anymore

[YeAuldBroade]

My bad' date=' well its not entirley my fault I mean I wasn't alive back then. When Fisk fought that guy and when Bill Lee messed up his shoulder, that was intense. You don't see that anymore[/quote']

Ah no problem. We "old" people can't help but tell those stories about the good old days.

[TheMino007]

Was it Pinella that Fisk got into it with?

[YeAuldBroade]

Was it Pinella that Fisk got into it with?

 

Yes, that was the one the Spaceman was injured in: I remember the fight but I can't remember if I saw it live or on replays.

 

"May 20, 1976: Yankee outfielder Lou Piniella crashes into Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk feet first in an attempt to score in the sixth inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. The two benches clear while Piniella and Fisk brawl at home plate. After the fight apparently dies down and order appears to be restored, Sox pitcher Bill Lee and Yankee third baseman Graig Nettles begin exchanging words, and another fight breaks out. Lee suffers a separated left shoulder from the tilt and misses a significant portion of the 1976 season. He would continue to pitch until 1982, but his level of performance is not the same as it was prior to the fight."

 

But still I think this was my favorite. I remember it well, even though I only heard it on the radio. They only televised one game a week outside of Boston in those days. Radio was TV.

 

"August 1, 1973: In a game at Fenway Park, with the score tied 2–2 in the top of the 9th, Yankees catcher Thurman Munson attempts to score from third base on a missed bunt by Gene Michael. He crashes into Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk, and a fight erupts, with Munson punching Fisk in the face."

[msubulldogs21]

It's not like it was in 03/04.

 

It was pretty intense in those years, primarily because we hadn't won anything in so long which magnified things.