As I look back over my 48 years as a Yankee fan — I can pinpoint the date of indoctrination, August 29, 1977 — there can be no question that most enjoyable era was the late 90s and early 2000s, but what’s interesting to me is that the postseason runs and World Series championships aren’t the only highlights. What really stands out in my memory are the games against the Boston Red Sox.
Because I was geographically removed from the Yankees out here on the West Coast, my knowledge of the rivalry came from books about the 1940s and ’50s and all the stories I learned about Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. I remember watching the playoff game in 1978 and celebrating Bucky Dent’s home run, but in my eight-year-old mind it was just a dramatic win to move my team forward in the playoffs; I didn’t feel the thrill of watching a rival go down in defeat.
But then when the Yankees entered their golden era in the 1990s, pulling the Red Sox along with them, I finally understood. Every game during those days was theater, with villains in every corner of Fenway Park. When I took the family to see a game at the Old Stadium during its final year, I happened to be standing at a souvenir stand looking at a television screen showing highlights of a Red Sox win. The fan next to me looked up at the image and said, “Fuckin’ Youkilis.” He looked at me for agreement, but noticed I was holding my three-year-old daughter. “Oh, sorry about that,” he said.
“Oh, don’t worry. I feel exactly the same way. Better she learn it now than later.” (Spoiler alert: that daughter is now a sophomore at Boston University and, because she’s nineteen, loves nothing more than joking about becoming a Red Sox fan.)
So whether it was Pedro or Nomar, Manny or Papi, Varitek or Pedroia, the Red Sox have always had a cast of characters worthy of fear or hatred or both.
These Red Sox? Not so much. But it’s still the Red Sox, and it’s still Fenway Park. Here’s hoping the Yankees get a couple wins this weekend, even if there’s a little less theater than we’re used to.
Sorry for the delay, everybody. Let's go, Yankees!
Thanks, Hank.
As a couple three commenters at Banter might remember me saying, I actually attended that Bucky Fricken Dent regular-season-playoff game. I was roughly in your daughter's current position, but... I definitely never joked about becoming a Red Sox fan.
And as you might guess, I'm now (and have for decades been) embedded in RSN. I have to admit, they're kind of lovable -- more so when the team is mediocre, as it is now.
Jeez, I know Crochet is the ace of the staff, but now we really gotta get a couple runs.
Judge!!!
The game is now a good game.
It seemed like it sort of must be, before the Judge homer, but it sure didn't *feel* like a good game.
This reminds me of how much I hate plays. When the manager decides to do on-field managing. I loathe plays.
I really don’t like the idea of Volpe trying to steal there. Sure, you can score on a sac fly, or force Boston to play the infield in, but it doesn’t seem like the reward is worth the risk.
I think Boone’s getting tossed because he feels like he got screwed twice this inning. And he probably did.
These umpires are so soft. First they toss Boone for throwing his gum, then they eject LeMahieu for apparently saying something to the first base ump. So stupid.
I’ll say this — I love when teams play five infielders.
Well. That sucked.
Fox game, ugh.
Good God those Boston uniforms are hideous.
Truly hideous. Two games, two different uniforms, not a speck of red either night. I just don’t understand it. They look a beer league softball team.
Just looked it up. Apparently the Yankees and Athletics are the only teams not yet to have a City Connect uniform. The A’s omission makes sense since they don’t have a city to connect to, and maybe — just maybe — baseball has the sense not to make the Yankees play in something awful like this.
City Connect is just an opportunity to sell more jerseys. I hate it, baseball is built on tradition (with at least one glaring exception.)
Why do you suppose the networks haven’t realized that the umpire cam is the absolute worst angle for live action?
Fuck the Shit Sox and Fuck the Fens
Rats, walking the terrorists didn’t work. This is a team wide slump
Walk the 9-hole hitter to fade the lefty killer.
Good plan…
This broadcast team is as brutal as the umpiring against us in the 10th inning last night.
I meant HBP. Aaand he comes around to score. Fuck.
Shit.
All three of these Boston runs have been dubious. Rodón has been unlucky. Error allows the first run, the second run came after a runner probably should’ve been thrown out at second, and this run was a result a batter putting his foot in the way of a pitch. Terrible luck.
Doesn’t help that the hitters have scored two runs in their past 24 innings.
We should be *destroying* this piece of shit pitcher.
Bullshit call, Blue
What is with all these doubles? The Red Sox own us this year so far.
This game, man.
Wow, Just Wow.
What a bunch of fucking bollocks. : /
Looks like Dominguez lost track of STRIKES. I’ve never seen that.
I fucking hate Devers’ stance and his ubiquitous massive wad of chaw is far beyond *disgusting*.
Back-to-back 3-K days for Cap : (
Yeah, aside from last night’s massive home run, Judge has looked mortal this weekend. I blame Boone for sitting him on Thursday.
What a stoopid stadium. People only like it coz it’s old. I’ve always hated it, regardless of the team.
Atone, Martian
Goddamnit
Man, I thought for sure Wells had gotten that ball to the wall. Sigh.
That’s a game they should’ve won.
Fried better be the ace/stopper he is tomorrow
Hank - have you seen Trout live this season? I hope to go to at least one game when the Yanks are in town right after the ASB
[41] Alas, the Yankees have already been out here -- a three-game sweep in late May. We went to one of the games, but Trout was on the IL at the time.
Yeah, a win today would be nice, please.
And a few hits for Judge
So one last thing on the final out from last night. Apparently I wasn’t alone in thinking good things when the ball left Austin Wells’s bat. According to Suzyn Waldman, the Yankees were stunned it didn’t go out or at least hit the wall. It was 103mph of the bat with a 30 degree launch angle. That math usually adds up to a home run, but the wind pushed it back.
Roughly nine percent of Judge’s season strikeouts (7 of 76) have come in this series.
Over ten percent now. Shocking.
Rice? This is a painful series to watch.
It’s unbelievable how bad the shit sox make us look.
I’m not enjoying this game so far.
Not even a little bit.
I hate everything about the shit sox and playing in that little league ballpark.
The problem isn’t the Little League park, it’s that the Yankees are hitting like Little Leaguers.
9 of 78. Over 11%.
Didn’t know the Red Sox had the top three Cy Young contenders.
Taking a nap didn’t help
Judge needs to hit one to Landsdowne Street right now.
Wow. Truly a lost weekend.
So…two outs, instead of three runs. FUCK!
I thought it was interesting that LeMahieu was showing bunt in that at bat, knowing that they’d just walk Judge. It seemed like Boone was actually protecting Judge. He finally made contact, at least. But the result was worse.
Unmitigated disaster.
Brutal. 11 strikeouts. Swept for the first time this season. Our division lead is dwindling…
Pathetic
Oh, so now the Sawx trade Devers. They couldn’t have done it on Thursday?
Good Riddance on Devers. He always kills the Yankees.
Only the Red Sox would trade their best player like rhat. Crazy.
Evening folks,
Stanton in means the Martian is out. I'm not happy
Good, a hit for Judge.
A Stanton/Dominguez platoon wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
111 off the bat for Stanton. Business as usual.
Remember when the Yankees used to score runs? I miss those Yankees.
I missed all of the Yankees - sox games, fortunately. I read all about them! Reading this thread was a nice misery loves company catch up. Fucking red sox! Bollocks!
On the bottom of the 9th vs. the halos! Go Yankees!
Stanton Smash!
WTF! Never seen that before.
Well that was not impressive.
Jazz should have offered at the first pitch. That was right down the middle.
I’ve watched a lot of baseball, but I’ve never seen that Dominguez play. Terrible luck.
what a bunch of disgusting fucking bollocks.
0 runs in the last 20 fucking innings. ZERO.
Another shite loss.
only a 2.5 game lead over tampon...
Awful stuff.
I have a suggestion for the Yankees tonight. Score some fucking runs
I’m all for home runs, but right now it seems like that’s all anyone is trying to do. I’d be happy to see three singles in an inning. I’d be overjoyed.
I’m an optimist, but this game could be over.
In the last 24 innings, how many times have they had the leadoff guy at 2nd with 0 outs or at third with1 out?
I’m beginning to think they’re doing some type of Andy Kauffman sketch comedy that I don’t understand, like “how long will people keep watching if never score any runs?”
This truly is theater of the absurd.
The good news? The major league record is still three days away — 48 consecutive scoreless innings.
My wife just got me the MLB package on Amazon for the rest of the season.. Maybe I need to cancel it.
Welp.
1-0 Angels.
Is that the game winner?
Game over
I’ll say this — I’m pretty happy the Yankees don’t have a home run hat. That shtick is pretty tired.
This is the first game I've been able to watch in about a week and they're already down one nothing in the first inning. Sweet.
I don’t believe.
What I just saw!
A run! An actual Modammit run!!
And now a lead?
Is this Rice's first start as catcher?
Yes, Rice’s first start.
Here’s a fun stat. Judge’s career OPS against the Angels is .936, which is pretty good. But he has a higher OPS against every other American League team but three.
Just go ahead and walk everybody.
This dude is about to hit the showers and he's going to miss.
Good fundamentals. Boot a double play ball and don't get an out.
Swing away and get a pop up? Why would they take the bunt off there?
Game over?
Didn’t realize it was a day game today.
So of course now there’s a rain delay
Post lunch nap, this is pleasant.
Huh, 11:30 am start tomorrow.
Career high in pitches for Schmidt. Send him out for the eighth?
Nope.
And now the no hitter is gone.
Roku game? Screw that. I signed up for MLB.TV to get all Yankee games. Not signing up for Prime and God knows what else.
[113]. I am able to watch the game with Amazon Prime. Maybe it is available on MLB.TV.
The sound is about a second early.
Why didn't Judge tag up on Bellinger's fly ball?
Tuned into the online radio feed just in time for the Yanks to put guys on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and then shit the bed. Sweet.
Missed most of it anyway, had to take the parents out for their 67th anniversary.
Hey, a win
Jazz was the man today. Big 2nd double and 2 plays at the plate.
Rodon's not getting the close strikes.
They had it all set up for Judge. Ugh.
This 11th inning is not going well.
Apparently that was the first automatic runner to score on the road this season. Maybe they are improving. Of course he scored on a wild pitch.
A superb showing with The Bases Loaded and no outs. A single run.
I’m so tired of watching LeMahieu at bats. I’d rather see anyone on the roster but him.