The Curse of the Bambino. I mean seriously, who blames losing on a dude that played ball almost 100 years ago?! This is the ever so famous excuse for the Boston Red Sox’s fans for the lack of World Series Championships they had accumulated. Well it was up until 2004, when the Red Sox came back behind 3-0 to defeat the Yankees in the ACLS and later won the World Series (Yes, every now and then a blind squirrel finds a nut). The “curse” however lasted from 1920 to 2003, and the Red Sox were not able to win any World Series compared to the 26 the Yankees won. This curse started one of the most heated rivalries in all of sports, a curse that was created when the Red Sox traded the great Babe Ruth to the Yankees that started a streak of winning seasons.
The “Evil Empire” Okay, so maybe the Yankees are somewhat of an empire, but when the Red Sox President Larry Lucchino called the Yankees the “Evil Empire” that was pretty lame. I mean, you can’t just get mad and throw a sissy fit because you can’t remember the last time you won the World Series!
Yankees Universe vs. Red Sox Nation. Hank Steinbrenner, son of principal owner of the Yankees George Steinbrenner, made the statement “‘Red Sox Nation?’ What a bunch of (expletive) that is. That was a creation of the Red Sox and ESPN, which is filled with Red Sox fans. Go anywhere in America and you won’t see Red Sox hats and jackets, you’ll see Yankee hats and jackets. This is a Yankee country. We’re going to put the Yankees back on top and restore the universe to order.” Shortly after that statement, Red Sox owner John Henry officially inducted Hank into Red Sox nation and sent him an official membership card and special offers like newsletters, bumper stickers, and pins. I must say, that is pretty clever on the part of Mr. Henry.
Brawls. Everyone loves to see the benches clear, whether they admit it or not. Who can forget when Pedro Martinez threw Yankees bench coach on the ground? Or when Jason Varitek and Alex Rodriguez went at it after A-Rod was hit by a pitch? What about in 1976 when Sweet Lou and Carlton Fisk brawled? These are just a few of the famous fights that have taken place between players of the Yankees and Red Sox. Even though someone always gets ejected, it’s the passion and pride that drive these players and this rivalry.
Who’s Your Daddy? vs. Where is Roger? In the 1999 ALCS, a highly anticipated pitching matchup was Game 3 which featured Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez. Roger Clemens was pulled from that game in the third inning and left to the chants of “Where is Roger? In the Shower”. This phrase was used for the rest of the game as the Red Sox went on to win 13-1. In the 2004 ALCS Pedro Martinez took the mound to the chants of “Who’s Your Daddy” when he had earlier in the year made the statement “They beat me. They’re that good right now. They’re that hot. I just tip my hat and call the Yankees my daddy”. Pedro Martinez would lose that game.
2001. Shortly after the events of September 11, 2001, the Red Sox and Yankees had a three game series. In the midst of a heated race and rivalry, true respect and patriotism was displayed when Red Sox fans held up signs that said “Boston Loves New York”. This is one of the most classy and stand up things that could of happened. This wasn’t a moment that just baseball needed, but the entire U.S.A.
By Travis King, Guest Writer
