Article: Red Sox Road Trip No. 6: Evil Empire State of Mind

[Steve Trefz]

Few words conjure ill will and upset stomachs in Boston like "Yankee Stadium." The Red Sox make their first foray into the enemy lair June 6-8, and this one-town road trip couldn't be more important. 

New York Yankees - June 6-8
Yankee Stadium - Capacity 46,537
2024 Attendance: 3,309,838 (Averaged 41,896, ranked 1st in AL, second overall)

In 2024, the Red Sox entered the enemy's lair seven times and came away victorious in three of them. The first July game saw an extra-inning win and an eventual series win thanks to a gem from Kutter Crawford. The September series featured two close losses and one lopsided victory.  Overall, Boston has gone 59-83 (43% winning percentage) in its visits to the newest iteration of Yankee Staidum since it opened in 2009. The Sox had great success in the Bronx in 2023, but most seasons have been total losses. The Red Sox went 284-487-2 at the original Yankee Stadium from 1923-2008, so the recent trends have been better than the historical trends, but Sox fans can usually count on losing a game in the standings whenever a trip to the Bronx comes up on the schedule. The Yankees might be without Juan Soto, but they've added just like they always do and should compete for the World Series yet again.

What Yankee Stadium lacks in hospitality to opponents’ chances for success, it makes up for in baseball history and charisma. Monument Park shares the rich tradition of the pinstripes and is the place to be before the first pitch. Being present for the “roll call” tradition of the Yankees' outfield bleacher bums and knowing that millions of humans are within blocks of you offers a lot of excitement. The stadium itself feels surprisingly bland and non-distinct, but if the Yankees are playing well, it's tough to be an opposing fan there. 

Yankee Stadium resides in the heart of the Bronx, so parking and any “quick” travel to destinations don’t happen. Then there’s the potential for rain. Luckily, MLB appears to have also thought this through and scheduled an off-day in case the opener needs a re-do, but there isn't a mutual off-day following the series, so any make-up game would have to find its way later on during the season. Enter the enemy's lair thick-skinned and multi-layered and get ready to enjoy baseball at its finest.  

Red Sox fans have an opportunity to take in the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Big Apple. The Statue of Liberty takes most of a day to visit appropriately, and traveling the New Jersey coast to see Ellis Island also offers a wonderful view of downtown NYC. If you do find yourself in Manhattan, Broadway, TV show scenery, and Central Park are must-sees. Finding affordable lodging and navigating the traffic are obstacles, but the public transit system is top-notch and can get fans most anywhere they want to go.

Following this week-long road trip, the Red Sox return home to welcome the Rays to town, then face the Yankees for another three games after an off day. There is an opportunity for building a streak against AL East foes, but with such an opportunity comes the risk of fading even faster within the division. How do you think Boston's first games with the Yankees will fare? Anyone brave enough to make a trip to the Bronx to support the Sox?

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