New York Yankees: Best Moments in Yankees-Red Sox Rivalry

As the New York Yankees play the Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series, we look back at the best moments of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry.

The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are arch-rivals and have been for a long time. And rivalries are a good thing for sports. It makes things exciting and makes people want to watch to see what happens next.

The New York Yankees’ rivalry with the Boston Red Sox is the best rivalry in sports, almost un-arguably. This week, that rivalry continues as the American League Division Series continues.

This ALDS is the fourth time that the Yankees and Red Sox have played each other in the playoffs, the first since 2004.

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Since the last time they met in the playoffs in 2004, the Red Sox have won three titles, while the Yankees have won just one.

During Wednesday’s AL Wild Card game, Yankee fans chanted “we want Boston” in the sixth inning, in which the Yanks scored four runs.

The Red Sox want the Yankees as they tweeted “We Want New York.” Yankee fans aren’t the only ones that want Boston, the players want the Red Sox too.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone told Steven Marcus of Newsday:

"“I think the [Yankees] can’t wait. I think they’re ready and relish the opportunity to go up against the game’s best this year. And obviously, we’re very familiar with [the Red Sox]. We know how good they are. I mean, we know we have to play our best if we’re going to have a chance to beat them. Obviously, they’re very tough at Fenway. But I know our guys can’t wait to get there and try and get it done.’’"

The Yankees and Red Sox have played 19 games this season. Boston won ten of those games and the Yanks won nine.

Over the years, there have been some great moments when the Yanks play the Sox. Let’s take a look at the best moments of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry.

Let’s give you a quick recap of all the best moments, whether you already know them or not, hopefully reading about them gets you hyped up for this iconic rivalry to return to Yankee Stadium.

The Curse of the Bambino

Right after Christmas in 1919, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees for $100,000. The move turned out great for the Yankees as Ruth hit 54 home runs in his firs season in pinstripes and 659 of his 714 career home runs in New York.

Ruth would go on to lead the Yankees to four World Series titles. Selling Ruth would end up being a “curse” for Boston as they didn’t win a World Series title for 86 years after they sold Babe.

The Boston Massacre

In September 1978, the Yankees trailed the Red Sox in the division by four games. The Yankees swept a four game series against the Red Sox at Fenway, outscoring them 42-9. The series became known as the “Boston Massacre.”

Varitek vs. A-Rod

In a late July game at Fenway in 2004, Red Sox starter Bronson Arroyo hit Alex Rodriguez‘s left arm. A-Rod exchanged words with Arroyo as he headed towards first base. Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek followed Rodriguez down the line and the two exchanged words.

A-Rod and Varitek then got into a shoving match which caused a bench-clearing brawl between both teams. The Red Sox would go on to win the game on a walk-off home run against Mariano Rivera.

Don Zimmer gets tossed

During Game 3 of the 2003 ALCS, Roger Clemens threw an inside pitch to Manny Ramirez of Boston. That pitch started a series of brawls between both teams. One of those brawls was between Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez and Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer.

Pedro ended up throwing Zimmer to the ground during that brawl. The Yankees ended up winning the game and taking a 2-1 series lead.

Aaron Boone homers

Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS went into extra innings. Aaron Boone lead off the bottom of the 11th inning for the Yankees. On the first pitch from Tim Wakefield Boone hit a walk-off home run down the left field line to send the Yankees to the World Series.

Boone of course is now the manage of the Yankees. He will now try to send the Yankees to the World Series as a manager.

Big Papi’s walk-off homer

The Yankees had a 3-0 lead in the 2004 ALCS heading into Game 4. In the bottom of the 12th inning of Game 4, David Ortiz hit a walk-off home run that gave Boston its first win of the series.

The Red Sox would go on to beat the Yankees in the ALCS and win their first World Series title in 86 years, breaking the curse of the bambino.

Next. ALDS predictions including Games 3 and 4!. dark

What’s your favorite moment from the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry? Let us know in the comments below.

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