Enough Is Enough!: The Red Sox/Yankees Rivalry Receives Too Much Press
August 9, 2009 · Tom Richards · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have a very long and fierce rivalry. Names like Babe Ruth, Bucky Dent, Aaron Boone, and David Ortiz all signify a specific chapter in this storied battle.
Recently though, I noticed the extreme amount of media coverage this rivalry is given by media outlets, particularly ESPN.
ESPN is stationed in Bristol, Connecticut, which basically lies in between the two franchises. Fans in the Northeast, and many all over the country, identify themselves as a Red Sox or Yankees fan.
I understand that these two teams will generate more viewers and increased revenue for networks, but it almost seems as though every other team or issue in baseball needs to take a back seat to this rivalry.
Baseball fans that are actually silly enough to follow other teams won’t see their favorite club get the media coverage this rivalry gets.
This is a shame because there are other great rivalries in baseball, including the Cubs/Cardinals, Giants/Dodgers, White Sox/Tigers, or Phillies/Mets.
After the Yankees Saturday afternoon victory over the Red Sox (seen on FOX as the game of the week), the Yankees now have a season high 5.5 game lead over their counterparts from Beantown.
Four of baseball’s other five divisions have a smaller difference between first and second place, including the National League Central, where four teams are separated by six games.
I am in no way trying to disrespect the rivalry these two franchises have. With the 2003 and 2004 American League Championship Series, the Pedro and Don Zimmer fight, and now recently the steroid allegations against both team’s best sluggers, this storied rivalry may be at its peak.
But when one baseball game is the first ten minutes of SportsCenter or Baseball Tonight on a weekend in August, it signifies that maybe it is time for ESPN to let go a little bit.
Luckily tonight’s game is broadcast nationally on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball! This means we can watch the entire game and then see the highlights during the first segment of SportsCenter and hear the “experts” break down the series.
Maybe I shouldn’t keep paying my cable subscription after all.
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