Upon a Champion's Manner

In a championship rivalry, a good deal of back-and-forth is to be expected during the course of the season. Some chatter may even continue into the off-season, to fuel the fire when the rivalry renews. In the case of the Yankees versus the Red Sox, one can rightfully argue that it has just recently become a rivalry, in the true sense of the word. The Red Sox have finally overcome the Yankees, and won their first championship since 1918, and they did so in spectacular fashion. It was hard to contend that NY v Boston was a rivalry before last year, as one side always won, and one side always lost. Now that the winning has finally made its way to both teams, the term rivalry is perhaps more appropriate. However, it remains to be seen how long this can last.

From the time that the Yankees embarked on their championship run in 1996-2000, and continuing through the more recent ALDS/ALCS/World Series losses, the Yankees remain one of the few constants in baseball. In this era, we know the Braves will win the NL East, and we know the Yankees will win the AL East. While the other title contenders are few, rotating among a small handful of teams in the Central and West, they still rotate. A baseball fan can reasonably expect to see the Yankees in the World Series every 2-3 years, and this is not braggadocio, this is born out by recent history. The Red Sox have just regained baseball's summit, after a long absence. They won 8 straight games to end the season on top, but didn't even win their division and were within one out of being swept in the ALCS. Now they return and look to defend their title.

I have already spoken at length about the Yankees this year, and have recently become more encouraged by the work that Jason Giambi is doing with Don Mattingly. I am going to put this prediction in bold, and ask you to remember where you read it first; Jason Giambi will have an All-Star caliber year. A team which had the most wins in the AL and won over 100 games has: Gotten healthy, improved starting pitching, improved the bullpen, improved the lineup, and shored up the defense. Perhaps this explains the defending champion Boston Red Sox' actions.

Having actively been a fan of a team as they won 4 World Series, I am quite surprised at the amount of sniping that is coming at the Yankees from the champions. When any team wins a championship, much less the long suffering Red Sox, you expect them to stay focused on remaining on top. This is the way the Yankees have always done it, and it works out well (see above re: constants). To see that after 86 years, Boston can't shake their inferiority complex, is surprising. Player after player is coming at the Yankees, by way of Alex Rodriguez. David Wells is snapping at Torre and Mel (though he isn't technically a defending champ). The Red Sox have even scheduled their ring ceremony for Opening Day, when they coincidentally happen to be playing the Yankees. Are these the actions of a proud champion or a king on a perilous throne. You didn't hear the Yankees of the 4 in 6 years championships do this toward their opponents. The reason was that they were not scared, which the Red Sox most certainly seem to be. The monkey is off their back (finally winning) but not off their shoulder ( still fearing the Yankees).

I am willing to accept the contention that earning a championship gives you the right to say what you want to those you have beaten. History has shown, however, that the Yankees will be back on top of the baseball world. I believe the Red Sox know that they will be in a Wild Card chase again, and in the back of their minds fear that they will again finish second best to the Yankees. Their reaction shows their inexperience with success, and the improbability of this success continuing.