More Than a Game: A Century of Bad Blood, Broken Curses, and Big Moments

When it comes to sports rivalries, few are as passionate, personal, and historically rich as the one between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Spanning over a century, this rivalry isn’t just about baseball — it’s about cities, cultures, and a long, bitter history of triumph and heartbreak.

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It All Started With Babe Ruth

The Yankees–Red Sox rivalry began in earnest in 1920, when the Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees for $100,000.

• The result? The Yankees became a dynasty, and the Red Sox fell into decades of misery.

• The move launched what became known as “The Curse of the Bambino.”

From 1918 to 2004, the Red Sox failed to win a single World Series — while the Yankees won 26. Every heartbreak in Boston felt like another victory in the Bronx.

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Legendary Moments in the Rivalry

🔥 1978 – The Bucky Dent Game

The Yankees and Red Sox tied for the division lead, forcing a one-game playoff at Fenway. In the 7th inning, light-hitting Bucky Dent hit a shocking 3-run homer over the Green Monster. The Yankees won the game — and later, the World Series.

🧤 1999 ALCS – Clemens vs. Pedro

Two pitching titans squared off in an intense playoff series. Though the Yankees won the ALCS, every game felt like a war between powerhouses.

⚾ 2003 ALCS – Aaron Boone’s Walk-Off

Game 7. Bottom of the 11th. Boone launches a home run to left. The Yankees go to the World Series. Red Sox fans devastated. Yet again.

💥 2004 ALCS – The Comeback

Down 0–3 in the series, the Red Sox pulled off the greatest comeback in MLB history, winning four straight against the Yankees. Boston went on to win the World Series — and the “Curse of the Bambino” was finally broken.

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Players Who Switched Sides

Some of the rivalry’s drama stems from players wearing both uniforms:

• Babe Ruth (BOS → NYY)

• Roger Clemens (BOS → NYY)

• Johnny Damon (BOS → NYY)

• Wade Boggs (BOS → NYY)

• Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS → NYY)

Each defection brought a mix of betrayal, controversy, and drama to the rivalry.

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The Fanbases – Oil and Water

• Yankees fans pride themselves on tradition, rings, and ruthlessness.

• Red Sox fans are passionate, emotional, and live and die with every pitch.

• Games between the two often turn stadiums into battlegrounds.

Even in neutral cities, Yankees vs. Red Sox draws huge crowds and national attention.

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Recent Years – New Faces, Same Fire

With stars like Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, Rafael Devers, and Alex Verdugo, the rivalry has evolved, but the tension remains.

• Every series still feels like a playoff.

• Every hit, strikeout, and stare-down is amplified.

• The history never fades — it just reloads.

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Why It’s the Greatest Rivalry

• 100+ years of history

• Countless Hall of Famers

• Epic playoff battles

• Real hatred, real emotion

This isn’t just a rivalry — it’s a storyline that spans generations, connecting grandparents, kids, and everyone in between.