The Rays had a nice holiday series against New York. Good crowds, good games, good wins. Everything you would expect when two teams predicted to be at the top of the East met in July.
But the series had me wondering. At first I was wondering about rivalry. But, then, I realized this was simpler than rivalry. Which is more satisfying. A win over Boston or a win over New York?
I took an informal Independence Day poll and the responses were unanimous: New York. I was actually a little surprised by that. Sure, the Yankees are the perennial contender. So a win over the Yankees is almost invariably a win over Goliath for our little band of Davids. There is just something detestable about the Sawx. I really assumed someone, anyone, would say they enjoy beating Boston more than New York.
I certainly enjoy it more. But my reasons are personal. When I was a kid, I rooted for the Yankees. (One of the top 3 moments of my career in baseball was meeting my hero, Donnie Baseball, when he was New York’s hitting coach. I am even secretly rooting for the Dodgers). Also, I have dear friends that work in New York’s front office. I don’t have any similar connection to the Sox.
Also, at least in my mind, the Sox’s bandwagoners are so much worse than the Yanks’ bandwagoners. I’m not sure I can accurately describe why but, I think it has something to do with the espoused hatred for the Yankees’ methods while cheering for a team that has adopted those same methods (see Crawford, Carl).
Either way, I put it to you readers of The Ray Area. Which is better? A win over New York or a win over Boston?
I enjoy beating Boston more.
the Sox because their new fans think they have been good forever.
Agree with the first two. Sure it’s nice beating New York, and Tankee fans are obnoxious, but there’s nothing in this world worse than the pink hat nation of Red Sox “fans”. As a matter of fact every chanc eI get I ask someone with Red Sox garb who the starting second baseman is, and 4/5 time they say something to the effect of “well, I don’t know I’m not that much of a fan, BUT YOUR TEAM SUX LOLOLOL”
Yep, die in a fire.
Hilarious and, a little harsh.
Definitely Bahston. There’s something inherently satisfying about deflating the immature arrogance of a team notorious for perennial disappointment for so many years.