Yankees Rivalry
The Red Sox–Yankees rivalry is a Major League Baseball (MLB) rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. Both teams have competed in MLB's American League (AL) for over 120 seasons, and have developed what is considered by many to be the fiercest rivalry in American sports. Nicknamed "The Rivalry" by some, the 1919 sale of star Red Sox player Babe Ruth to the Yankees popularized one of the most well-known aspects of the rivalry: a superstition known as the "Curse of the Bambino", attributed to Boston’s 86-year World Series drought which began upon Ruth’s sale to New York. Coincidentally, when the Red Sox broke the curse by winning the 2004 World Series, they defeated the Yankees in the ALCS after overcoming a 3–0 deficit.
Quick Facts
- First major transaction
- 1919 Sale of Babe Ruth
Lore & Background
The rivalry is often a heated subject of conversation, especially in the home region of both teams, the Northeastern United States. From 1995 to 2013, at least one of the two teams appeared in every postseason except 2006 and 2012. The Red Sox and the Yankees have faced each other three times in the ALCS, with the Yankees winning twice, in 1999 and 2003, and the Red Sox winning in 2004. The two teams have also met once in the American League Division Series (ALDS), in 2018, with Boston winning 3–1, a series which included a 16–1 Red Sox win in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, the largest margin of defeat in a postseason game in the Yankees' history.
The Red Sox beat the Yankees in the 2021 American League Wild Card Game. In addition, the teams have twice met in the last regular-season series to decide the AL pennant, in 1904 (when the Red Sox, then known as the Americans, won) and 1949 (when the Yankees won). The Yankees and the Red Sox finished tied for first in 1978; subsequently, the Yankees won a high-profile tie-breaker game for the division title. The first-place tie came after the Red Sox had a 14-game lead over the Yankees more than halfway through the season.
Similarly, in the 2004 ALCS, the Yankees ultimately lost a best-of-seven series after leading 3–0. The Red Sox comeback was the only time in American baseball history that a team has come back from a 3–0 deficit to win a series. The Red Sox went on to win the World Series, ending the 86-year-old curse.
Reader's Guide
This match-up is regarded by some sports journalists as the greatest rivalry in sports. Games between the two teams often generate considerable interest and receive extensive media coverage, including being broadcast on national television. National carriers of Major League Baseball coverage, including Fox/FS1, ESPN, and MLB Network carry most of the games in the rivalry across the nation, regardless of team standings or playoff implications. Yankees–Red Sox games are some of the most-watched MLB games each season. Outside of baseball, the rivalry has led to violence between fans, along with attention from politicians and other athletes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Red Sox and Yankees rivalry begin?
The feud intensified after Harry Frazee sold Babe Ruth to New York in 1919, shifting power dynamics permanently. This transaction marked the start of a century-long struggle for dominance between the two clubs.
How long was the Red Sox championship drought caused by this rivalry?
Boston endured an 86-year title drought from 1918 to 2004, often attributed to the loss of Ruth known as the Curse of the Bambino. This period defined generations of fans who watched New York succeed while they suffered.
What series broke the curse and changed the rivalry?
The 2004 American League Championship Series served as the decisive turning point where Boston overcame a three-game deficit against New York. Winning this playoff matchup finally ended the championship drought and shifted the psychological balance of power.
Where do these teams play their home games during the rivalry?
The primary venues for this historic clash are Fenway Park in Boston and Yankee Stadium in New York. Games at these iconic locations draw massive crowds due to the intense cultural animosity between the fanbases.
More in Fenway Park & Fan Culture
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