This Yankees/Red Sox rivalry seems a little different since 2004, does it not? No longer are we the big terrible invincible Yankees. No longer do we have that cloak of invincibility. The safety net of "Ahh, we'll win. We always have." All that was gone the moment the 2004 Yankees choked away a 3-0 series lead. Since then, the Red Sox have gone on to win the World Series twice. Meanwhile, in the Bronx, we haven't gotten out of the first round.The roles have been totally reversed. Doc Gooden, David Wells and David Cone are not throwing no-hitters anymore. Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz are. The Yankees are not sweeping hapless National League teams away in the World Series anymore. The Red Sox are. The Yankees aren't expected to win the Americal League East anymore. The Red Sox are. Josh Beckett has taken the role of a David Cone. Papelbon has been as good as Mariano in the Playoffs. Lowell has replaced Brosius. I could go on and on.
So here we are, the Yankees heading into Fenway Park chasing down the Red Sox. The Tampa Bay Rays don't matter, forget them. This is all about Yankees vs Red Sox. The way it's been the last decade or so. Only these last few years the Red Sox have been kings.
Time to get things back to normal.
