The New York Yankees are in a constant war zone in the month of September. The postseason push gets hotter and hotter by the day. The Yankees host the Boston Red Sox this weekend and the series holds real significance.
When the weather starts to become a roller coaster and the sports channels zone in on MLB standings, you know it’s September. This month brings disappointment to those clubs and fan bases that are in their final stretch of baseball. For others, it brings joy and anxiety.
The Yankees and their fanbase are on the edge, game-by-game. The team is in position for either first place in the American League East, or the first AL Wild Card. The battle with the Baltimore Orioles is non-stop as both teams continue their postseason push.
Starting Thursday, the Yankees will welcome a long-time AL East dance partner to the Bronx for a rivalry showdown.
Yankees-Red Sox Rivalry Has Iconic Past
Nothing will compare to the old days in baseball. From the Yogi Berra days to the deal that sent Babe Ruth from Boston to New York; this was the foundation of the “beef”. Time went on, rosters changed, but the boiling blood didn’t.
In fact, the tension brewed over the years. In 2003, Pedro Martinez plunked a couple of pinstripes which resulted in Roger Clemens throwing high at Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez.
This led to Yankees coach Don Zimmer approaching the mound and Pedro. That wasn’t a good idea. Zimmer left the game with an injury as he was taken down.
The Yankees took victory in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series that year. Ironically it was a walk-off shot by current Yankees manager Aaron Boone. The following year was even more dramatic.
Where were you when Aaron Boone did this? #Yankees #RedSox pic.twitter.com/iArcGeCaeB
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) October 5, 2021
The 2004 Drama at Fenway Park
2004 at Fenway Park was baseball’s version of today’s UFC. A back-and-forth brush-up involving Red Sox Jason Varitek and Alex Rodriguez that summer caused a storm. This escalated with various players involved.
That October, the Red Sox “reversed the curse” with a comeback win in the ALCS against the Yankees.
Down three games to none, the Sox battled back to punch a World Series ticket. This was a huge blow for New York and a huge answer back from the Red Sox.
Today In 2004: The Boston #RedSox win the #ALCS, defeating the New York Yankees in 7 games! #MLB #Baseball #Postseason pic.twitter.com/nZ2QB5HGwJ
— Baseball by BSmile (@BSmile) October 20, 2022
These days mark some historic moments in baseball history. So where are we now? Slowly but surely, the matchup is becoming relevant again.
Upcoming Yankees-Red Sox Series Significant for Both Clubs
The Yankees are trekking aggressively toward a postseason spot. Ideally, they’d want to win the division. However, taking the top wild card spot still gives them a chance in October. The Red Sox are also battling for a Wild Card spot.
The Bo-Sox are four games out of the last Wild Card, with the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins ahead of them. Both teams are looking to stack up the September wins this weekend, making these games extremely significant.
There also is a slight chance that both teams could see each other in a best-of-three wild card match-up. Only the next few weeks will tell. This series and future matchups may ultimately reignite the rivalry.
Photo Credit: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
