With an unexpected start to the 2024 season, the Boston Red Sox have started to work early and established
themselves. The Bostonians have gained fresh momentum following victories against the Seattle Mariners on
opening day, the Oakland Athletics 3-0 in the series, and most recently the Los Angeles Angels 2-1 in the series.
The Red Sox have rapidly fought their way out of the American League basement, where they had spent numerous
seasons. However, the team’s struggles over the past few years have occasionally overshadowed its modest victories
in the media.
The Bostonians are currently only a hair behind their bitter rival, the Yankees, having finished last in the league the
previous two seasons. Given how fast the teams rose to the top of the league, perhaps this season will be the one
when the real rivalry returns.
Even though the famous rivalry between New York and Boston has a long history of intense rivalry, occasional fights,
and fervent supporters, it appears to have subsided recently.
When the clubs were on opposite ends of the league in 2022—New York (99–63) finishing first and Boston (78–84)
finishing last—that was the last time the two saw a major disparity in competition. Following New York’s 6-0 shutout
of the Red Sox
The Red Sox’s performance the next year wasn’t much better, but their opponent was also at the bottom and scored a
marginally higher score. The Yankees’ final-round victory against the Red Sox may have been the cherry on top for
supporters, but the season lacked a certain degree of competitiveness. Even while the rivalry persisted, neither team
was close to taking the top spot.
Even though the clubs split their 2023 season 3–3, the sporadic victories didn’t seem to be rewarding enough from a
competitive standpoint.
The rivalry may not have been as fiercely fueled as it was throughout the 2018 season. Two benches cleared for an
unprecedented altercation during an evening game in April when tempers boiled and the teams lost control.
