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SPORTS

Red Sox, Yankees rivalry proves to be a hot topic on NU campus

By Aaron Ward
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Red Sox fans gather on campus to celebrate the win of game four after the Red Sox clenched the World Series against the Cardinals Oct. 27. (Plourde photo)

For the last two baseball seasons, Norwich students have been divided over two teams: the Red Sox and the Yankees.

The rivalry was born in 1920 when the Red Sox owner Harry Fruzz sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees, two years after Ruth helped them win their last World Series in 1918, and so the “Curse of the Bambino” was born.

“I think the curse is an excuse for Red Sox fans to cover up for their misfortune,” said Matt Astphan, 19, a criminal justice major, from Attleboro Mass, a long time Red Sox fan.

Last season, the Yankees beat the Red Sox in seven games, in the last one on an 11th inning home run by Aaron Boone, which kept their flawless postseason record against the Red Sox.

“Hearing the Yankees won game seven made me proud to be a Yankees fan,” said Michael Nardini, 19, a communications major from South Glens Falls, N.Y., a definite Yankees fan.

“It was a heart-breaking loss, to see the Red Sox come so close and let it slip away,” said Ryan O’Leary, 19, a criminal justice major from Longmeadow, Mass, another Red Sox fan.

This season, the Yankees jumped out to a 3-0 lead over the Sox in the ALCS and what looked to be another victory over the Red Sox in the playoffs.

“Once we went up three games to none, I was sure that we were going to take the series and move on to the World Series,” Nardini said.

“After dropping the first three games, I was pretty doubtful about how the Sox were going to do, but I kept my faith and continued to go watch the games,” said Astphan.

The Sox came back and made baseball history by winning four straight games, which had never been done, before, snapping the perfect postseason record of the Yankees over the Red Sox.

“After winning game seven, it was great seeing the Sox come back. I was out on the UP with all the other Red Sox fans, celebrating the comeback. It was a great time to be a Red Sox fan,” O’Leary said.

“Watching the Yankees lose four games in a row broke my heart,” said Craig McGrath, 19, an international studies major from Staten Island, N.Y. “Watching all the fans celebrating the win made me see what the Red Sox fans have been going through for so long,”

“It’s really a love-hate relationship between the two teams, said O’Leary. “A love for the Sox, and a hate for the Yankees.”

The Red Sox fans have players on their team which stand out as favorites and players on the Yankees which they hate, and vice-versa for Yankees fans.

“I would have to say my favorite Red Sox player is Johnny Damon, and I hate Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees,” Astphan said.

“My favorite Red Sox player is Jason Varitek, and I hate the Yankee line-up from top to bottom, but I guess you could say the player I hate the most is Derek Jeter,” O’Leary said.

“My favorite Yankees player is Bernie Williams, and I absolutely despise Jason Varitek,” Nardini said.

The one thing that the two sets of fans have in common is the dislike for the other team.

“The reason I don’t like the Red Sox is simple: the team is full of guys who don’t respect the game, and have funny facial hair, and stuff all over their helmets, while the Yankees act more professional and respectful,” Nardini said.

“I hate the Yankees, because each year they try and buy the World Series, and cheering for them is like rooting for the house in poker, and it's nice to see the underdog come through and beat the powerhouse,” Astphan said.

The history between the two teams is what makes baseball so great. Every time the two teams meet, televisions all over campus are surrounded by fans cheering on their team, waiting to see who is going to win.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, 158 Harmon Dr, Northfield, VT 05663. www.norwich.edu/guidon.