 By Luis Vazquez - The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees will meet again in the hallowed grounds of Yankee Stadium and at Fenway's Green Monster. They are not expected to be their final barring a post-season collision. It is a testament of the times. Up until that fateful night when the Boston ballclub exorcised a ghost, the role of chaser had always been Boston’s. Since the sale of Babe Ruth, Boston used the Yankees as their yardstick for success. The past century has proven to be one of frustration taken to new levels with every heroic tradegy surpassing the previous one. Who can forget the Yankees forging of twenty-six World Championships to Bostons zero since 1923. The Sox qualified for three World Series in the interium but missed in the ultimate game. In 1946 Boston blew a 3-2 series lead in falling to the Cardinals. In 75’ despite carlton Fisk’s homer in game six, The Cincinnati Reds nipped the Sox in seven. It was called one of the greatest World Series. The Impossible dream was derailed by Gibson and the Cardinals again in seven. The slashing defeat to the New York Mets in 86’ when the Sox were an out away.
The most personal of defeats however were to its hated rivals below in Gotham. The 1946 Pennant was the first painful loss. In 78’ Bucky Dent’s homer over the Green Monster symbolized the Boston Curse. In 84’ Dave Righettis no-hitter came at Boston’s expense on the Fourth of July. When the Yankee machine regained its lofty heights it took Boston for a five game lesson in winning baseball. The 2003 season began however with signs that much was changing. However, when the two teams met for the American League Championship it was Aaron Boone’s homer that closed the show in the seventh game. The 2004 Sox were too determined and relentless to let it slip away again. However, the Yankees had just destroyed Boston 19-8 to take a 3-0 lead in the American League Championship series. Fate intervened. Two comeback wins in four and five set up Schilling’s Heroic’s in Game six which saw Alex Rodriquez get villified for trying to knock the ball from the pitchers hand outside the baseline. The seventh game was an anti-climax. Boston has lost Pedro, Lowe and Johnny Damon. When the pitching has failed the Offense has taken over from memory. But all has not been smooth in Boston. Manny Ramirez was nearly released. The Yankees have had to overcome bad fortune, injuries , and a mediocre Randy Johnson yet they have found ways to win. A-Rod has had MVP numbers and The Bronx Bombers have been led by Rookies like Wang and Cano. Veterans like Womack, Jeter, Bernie, Tino Martinez, and Mariano Rivera have contributed at different stages, and the resurgence of Jason Giambi have led to the Yankees hanging in tough in the race for the playoffs. The two teams have fought it out even this year again but in this battle of Aging Heavyweights I suspect that we will be in store for something special again. Should these two remain alone at the end of this seasons road just remember these words from Torre. "We dont’ let anyone define us, we define ourselves." |
