The Yankees and Red Sox have a long history of not liking each other. These teams and their respective fans just o not get along. However, it seemed as though the rivalry had started to lose its venom in the past few seasons. Kevin Youkilis a long-time Red Sox player signed with the Yankees, a team he always hated. Leave it to the most hated player in baseball to relaunch what is considered the greatest rivalry in sports.
Players have been very vocal about Alex Rodriguez and his alleged PED use. Many have been very, very negative, but Boston pitcher Ryan Dempster chose to show his feelings instead of expressing them verbally. When Rodriguez came up to bat in the second inning, Dempster chose to do what many players may have contemplated themselves. Dempster plunked Rodriguez with a pitch that was clearly intentional and meant to send a message. Players ran onto the field and both benches were warned. Yankees manager Joe Girardi ran onto the field visibly furious that Dempster tried to police the game, resulting in Girardi getting tossed.
For some reason, Dempster was allowed to stay in the game and pitch. This is where the rivalry came out. Boston fans applauded Dempster for hitting Rodriguez and all the scandal that comes with him, while Yankees fans rallied behind their third baseman who did not deserve to get hit. As if this was not enough to get fans riled up, in the sixth inning Rodriguez sent his own statement to baseball.
Rodriguez blasted a home run to center field and took in every second of it. From clapping his hands around the bases to stopping at home plate to mock David Ortiz, it was clear Rodriguez enjoyed that moment. Rodriguez got revenge and made Dempster look like a fool. The Yankees got the last laugh winning the game 9-6, however, Boston still leads the division with the Yankees 7.5 games back. Dempster may have tried to send a message that there is no place in baseball for cheaters, but he may have just lit a fire under the Yankees to make a strong playoff push.
When asked post game if Dempster should be suspended after hitting him, Rodriguez had the quote of the season, “I’m not the guy to ask about suspensions”. At least he has a good sense of humor about the whole situation!
