I am watching the Sox and Yanks on ESPN2 -- the score 7-4 Sox in the fifth -- and the following dawned on me: I hate the Yanks and I hate the Red Sox (this fact did not just dawn on me - I have known this for years, often I debate which team I root against more. I only mention my dislike for both teams so that my in-laws do not disown me), but I love the Yankees and the Red Sox.
Rivalries are great in any sport (Duke/UNC, Shaq/Kobe, Giants/Dodgers, etc.) and in the past decade, no rivalry has come close to the Yanks and the Sox. In my adult life alone we have had Dave Roberts' steal, Aaron 'bleeping' Boone, Grady Little leaving Pedro out to die, Don Zimmer trying to kill Pedro, A-rod and Tek's cute little scuffle, and many more. Incidents like these are what made the rivalry great - back when these teams really seemed to hate each other. That hatred was something I could really get behind.
I turn on the game tonight and see Big Papi single to right when his team is down 7-4. He hugs Giambi at first. Manny singles, Papi then hugs Jeter at Second (but not before he playfully teases Melky Carbrera about throwing behind him when he rounded second). Another base hit, now Manny is at second chatting up Robinson Cano. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON OUT THERE????????? Is this rivalry dead? I hope this friendliness it is just a bi-product of the lack of competitive spirit in April baseball. But I am afraid there's more to the story.
This rivalry has gone soft. None of this would have happened on Pedro's watch. All of my favorite Villains are gone or are now lame professional ball players (Johnny Damon... I am looking at you). Have they no shame? I am not tuning into to see the Yanks and Sox to see a well-played, high scoring American League game between two great teams. I'm tuning in to see a bloodbath.
Well its now 11-9 Yanks, and the game is shaping into an instant classic. Man, am I depressed. Here's to hoping Farnsworth comes out of the pen and makes a game out of this thing.
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