So with yet another Sunday night Sox-Yankees event just beginning, it struck me how these games have become such a spectacle over the years. The media capitalizes on this unmatched rivalry by hyping these games up days, even weeks in advance. The fact that every game seems to last at least four hours rakes in advertising money that corporate executives drool over. Promotion centers around the countless moments that have shaped this rivalry; moments that are crazy, surprising, thrilling, memorable, mystifying...the list of adjectives is endless. The two most memorable moments in my 20 year life are surely the Aaron Boone walkoff to stun the RedSox in the 2003 ALCS, followed by revenge in the greatest comeback in sports' history the following year. The number of incredible moments in this decade is astounding, nevermind the previous eight decades of this rivalry. The polarizing figures that have been involved in this matchup over the years bring the rivalry to a personal level. Think the A-rod, Varitek brawl. And maybe the most amazing thing (although some will surely bring payrolls into the conversation) is that both these teams are fighting for the crown every year. I mean, the all-time series at Fenway Park is tied at 460 wins a piece. Can't get more even than that. The Green Monster and the history of the ballpark create an aura surrounding every game at this venue. Fans, players, organizations, and the media all have something to love about these games. I can guarantee that tonight the entire country knows exactly when and where to watch this battle. At the very least, it's an excuse to go drink at the bar on a Sunday night. And for some like me, its an event who's outcome is extremely important to my happiness. I always think about how crazy it is that sports can make an entire city hate another city. I don't have animosity towards New York but such a vicious rivalry on the field makes me momentarily hate anything associated with city. The entire Yankees' organization, the drunk guy in the Jeter shirt who won't stop obnoxiously yelling about the "RedSlops" chicken and beer scandal (ok, i'd probably hate him no matter what), even my friends who root for the Yankees. It seems kind of silly when I think about it, but everyone including myself embraces this attitude. Sports has a powerful effect on people like me who have passionately invested their happiness in a particular team's success.
In terms of this season I got to say that I still believe the Sox will make the playoffs. I know, I know I sound like a homer, but this team has too much talent to miss out on one of two wild card spots. The Sox have been dreadfully inconsistent as they follow every hot streak with a cold streak. Even so, there's 80 games left. If they get healthy, and start playing more consistently I could see them winning at least 50 games which would put them over the seemingly safe 90 game plateau, although that's no safe bet in this parity filled season. The two people that need to step up the most are Jon Lester and Josh Beckett. These two guys have been Cy Young contenders at points in their careers. For the ship to be righted these guys need to sack-up and pitch like their former selves, not their mediocre 4.5 ERA selves. I really hope to see something from Jon Lester tonight, because he has yet to show me that he is close to returning to his old form.
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