Baseball’s best rivalry takes center stage this weekend as the New York Yankees travel to Fenway Park to take on the Boston Red Sox.
While NOWHERE near the fever pitch it was once at, the heated AL East rivalry is still must-watch for baseball fans.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’d give anything to go back to the days when the rivalry seemed like the biggest and most important thing in the world.
Jeez, those were the days, huh???
Sorry for the walk down memory lane. The sad current reality is that the two teams are headed in opposite directions.
The Bombers are one of the biggest surprises in all of baseball. Everyone knew they were going to be dangerous this season – but at 49-22, they own the best record in all of baseball.
This could very well be the year that the Yankees finally break their long, cold World Series drought. (Slight sarcasm.)
Meanwhile, at a mediocre 35-34, the Red Sox are certainly alive for a potential Wild Card spot. However, the cheapness of owner John Henry has sucked the life out of Boston’s loyal fan base.
Henry has simply lost interest in the organization. There’s no other way to put it.
Sox fans deserve better … Much better.
One player who loved his time in Boston happens to be current Yankee Alex Verdugo.
Verdugo certainly had his ups and downs with manager Alex Cora and the Sox. However, he wants it to be known that he genuinely enjoyed his time in Boston.
Now with the hated enemy, Verdugo knows not to expect a warm welcome back. He told MassLive.com that he’s “open to whatever they do,” referring to the type of reception the fans will give him.
Verdugo also pointed out that there are obvious flaws in Boston’s new, penny-pinching approach.
“I really loved the organization,” he said. “I really loved wearing the Red Sox jersey and playing for my teammates.
“It was more of just wanting to be in a winning atmosphere. When we won in ’21, that was one of the most fun years of my life and it’s because we had a winning team. We went to the ALCS.
“When you’re winning in Boston, those fans and everything, it feels special out there. 2021 was my favorite year. The other years were good but it just felt like we were fighting a little bit.
“We didn’t have the pieces that we needed. To not get them at the trade deadlines was a little bit tougher, too.
“I think they were trying to play the long game or re-amp the minor leagues, get some new prospects in. It would have been nice to see a little bit more initiative when I was there, just to try to force winning.”
In recent years, the Red Sox had a mixed approach at the trade deadlines.
In 2022, they were 52-52 and three games out of a wild-card spot but made only modest moves, acquiring Tommy Pham and trading away Christian Vázquez.
Last season, they were 2.5 games out of a wild-card spot and made a minor deal for infielder Luis Urías.
Verdugo joined the Red Sox in February 2020 as part of the Mookie Betts trade, which led to high expectations.
However, his tenure in Boston was filled with drama, including benchings for poor baserunning and lateness. By the end of 2023, it was clear a change was needed, resulting in his trade to New York.
This year, there have been no such issues with Verdugo. As a matter of fact, he’s become a bit of a fan favorite in the Bronx.
Although his numbers (.259 BA, 8 HR’s, 37 RBI’s) won’t set the world on fire, his value as a leader and great clubhouse personality has been obvious and very much welcomed.
What are your thoughts on Verdugo’s comments?
How depressing is the current state of ownership for Sox fans?
What’s it going to take for Boston to regain their old “win at all costs” mindset? … Is a change in ownership the only hope?
As far as this season is concerned, what’s your prediction for how things shake out for both the Yanks and Sox???