Live EventPMT Live From Chili's For Championship WeekWatch Now
Pirate Water Wicked Tea | 10% ABV | Hardest Tea to Hit the High Seas Is HereFIND IT NOW

RIP Red Sox - Yankees Rivalry: 1918 - 2016

The Red Sox and Yankees rivalry has been dead for years now, but there was really no official moment or year to pinpoint exactly when it died. This is that moment. Cheers, one of the most famous bars in the entire city of Boston, just put up a sign to welcome Yankee fans with open arms while the Yankees are in town for this weekend series.

To be completely honest, I don’t even care that they’re doing this. I feel no ill will towards the Yankees in 2016 — just JJ. In 2003-2004, the Yankees and their fans gave me murderous impulses. And in 1999, if a bar in Boston had a sign out from that welcomed Yankee fans, it would almost certainly have led to a trap door that was strategically placed high above a bed of spikes.

Now, though? Who do I hate on the Yankees? A-Rod? I’m supposed to hate A-Rod? #BarstoolConfessions, I kind of like A-Rod. Last night, A-Rod heard the story of 8-year-old David Moss, who lost his father last September, and he was sitting in the first row for the series opener at Fenway Park. David asked A-Rod for his bat in the first inning, and A-Rod said he could have it if he hit a home run. A-Rod hit a home run, and immediately ran over and gave his bat to David. Yeah, I don’t hate that guy.

But as far as the assertion that Boston has gone soft? Nah. It’s just that when the rivalry was white hot, both teams were really good, the regular season games were epic battles, the postseason games were all-time classics, the two teams would fight for the top free agents each winter, the owners would say shit to fire up the fan bases, and there were superstar players on both sides that clashed in some of the most memorable showdowns ever.

Now? The Red Sox haven’t been good for a few years, both teams are meh to start this year, they haven’t played in the postseason against each other since 2004, the Yankees didn’t even sign a free agent last offseason, never mind battle the Red Sox for one, George Steinbrenner is dead, Larry Lucchino retired, Derek Jeter retired, Pedro Martinez retired, Roger Clemens retired, Nomar Garciaparra retired, Mariano Rivera retired, Jorge Posada retired, Curt Schilling retired, Manny Ramirez retired, Mike Mussina retired, Jason Varitek retired, Johnny Damon retired, Andy Pettitte retired — everybody’s gone except for David Ortiz and A-Rod.

That doesn’t mean that a new rivalry can’t emerge some day. It’s gone dormant and heated right back up again many times. It was hot in the 40’s, the 70’s, the 90’s and the 2000’s. It’s almost like a volcano. It’s dormant more often than it’s red hot. But when it’s red hot, it’s the best attraction in the game of baseball.