are the red sox the new evil empire?
929525
I don't think they are smart enough to be the new evil empire. It also makes me laugh when I hear Red Sox fans make it sound like the Red Sox don't have a lot of money, or that they have a low payroll. I know that Boston's payroll is over the $119 million dollar threshold that baseball has set, thus they will have to pay a luxury tax too. Boston is loaded, but they hide behind the fact that the Yankees payroll was around $200 million last year. If not for the Yankees, Boston's would be the highest. Also, the Yankees dumped Sheffield and his $13 million salary, traded Wright  and his salary, and signed  Mussina to a smaller deal. They are down approximately $25 million from last year. Boston's payroll stands to increase this year, whether they sign D-Mat or not, as they are probably going to sign J.D. Drew, I'd love to hear Red Sux fans when they realize the payrolls are getting closer.\n\nAlso, everyone seems to think that Steinbrenner is still a big, scary, fire-breathing owner.  He is not.  He's 76, old, not in good health and no longer the man he was. If he were, Torre and his coaching staff would have been fired, and he would be after every free agent out there. Clearly Cashman is in charge, and making good financial decisions, and he also does not have the ego that Little Theo does. To me, it really does look like the Red Sox are the meaner team, and the "new evil empire".
1033253
Yes, I agree. Torre's corporate management style has run it's course. The guys just do not seem to be having fun anymore. They always seem like guys just going to work, there's no fire. If you look at the rivals, the Mets are having a blast, they're always smiling & laughing, and they're having fun. Same with the Red Sox, especially the 2004 Red Sox, laughing & winning. It's a game, not just a business. \n\nI also agree re Sweet Lou, he would definitely bring some life to the Yankees, there might be some drama (there always is w/Pinella), but he would shake things up. Besides, Steinbrenner always likes hiring people from his past, and Steinbrenner & Lou have the history.
1072837
In the early season the Red Sox were well ahead of the Yankees (as they always are then) with many rally wins and good performance. But of course as a long-term fan I knew they would collapse come June and of course the did losing something like 5 straight and 12 out of 15 I think it was or somewhere around there. The Yankees were up about 2 games in the AL East for a long time but now that interleague play has started the Red Sox are looking really good for this time if year. They beat the Nationals something like 11-2 last night and have won 2 out of 3 games against the Nationals in a 3 game series in Boston with the final game coming tonight on NESN and WEEI. The Yankees went 1 for 3 in their series against the Nationals so by comparison of the series' the Red Sox are looking better right now. I also think they're ahead in the standings by at least a game maybe 2. I haven't checked it since I got home from school.
1142948
assuming that you in fact are a yankees fan, they really cant do anything but rely on the redsox to at some point fall apart.....theyve been plagued by numerous injuries to key personell on their team that really prohibits them from being the yankee organization that we all remember them to be. me being a diehard redsox fan, i am surprised at their current position now being 3.5 games behind, which really isnt that much considering last year it was up to 7 games we lead the AL EAST, but in dramatic fashion, the yankees snuck up and stole the al east once again from us........
987840
It's more like who hates the Yankees or Red Sox more.
1136580
THE TEAM OF THE BOSTON RED SOX!!\n\nTHE WHOLE TEAM!!\n\nTHAT'S RIGHT, if someone thinks the Yankees are D**k Heads, they are just upset their team it's as good as the Yankees.\n\nTHE RED SOX ARE D**K HEADS!!
348568
NO THANK GOD\nPedro is one of the biggest as Sholes in sports. The Yankees will NEVER have anything to do with that piece of trash of a pitcher. (He's not even that good)
1047539
Well, The Only Beldon, at 68, married with four kids the youngest of whom is 35 and the oldest 40, I must be one of those homosexuals who can't get a date because I LOVE the Red Sox along with the entire Red Sox Nation who number in the millions. You sound like a jealous Yankee fan who will be crying at the end of this 2006 season when the Sox sweep the Yanks to win the division, then sweep the Chisox to win the pennant, and then sweep the Cardinals AGAIN to win the World Series. We in Red Sox Nation salute you as you go down to defeat yet again.
17893
These two teams have been competing together for a hundred years.  The infamous "Curse of the Bambino" when the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees after the 1919 season--the year after he helped them win their last World Series until just recently--certainly haasn't hurt their rivalry.\n\nIt hasn't always been that competitive, but the Red Sox have been mounting much better teams in recent years.  Their World Series win in 2004 was much more about the right talent and timing, and much less about the Curse-although it's unlikely you'd ever convince a dyed-in-the-wool Sox fan of it.
648214
You see the Soxs fans have problems! We all know that the Yankees are the better team. The Soxs fan just don't want to admit it because before the 2004 World Series the Soxs didn't win a WS title for over 80 years! So the soxs fans are just dreaming. The season had just began. The Yanks will clobber the soxs. Then the soxs fan will go crying home just like they always do. The soxs have won like what 3 or 4 WS titles? The Yanks have won 26 WS titles. They will make that 27 WS titles at the end of this season. So who is the better team now? It's clearly the Yankees. But you soxs fans are going to keep denying it just like always!So you soxs fan can kiss that WS ring good bye!!!!   \nGO YANKEES!!!!!!
610299
Unfortunately yes.  Since they acquired Leyland as manager they should do well.  I have to give credit to Detroit's GM and owner cuz they are giving him almost the same free reign to acquire the players that will play for "him" and fit his "strategy" just like Kenny Williams and Jerry Reinsdorf gave Ozzie!!!   As a complete DIE HARD White Sox fan and truly an American League baseball fan, I said to fellow fans that this year I am more concerned about D-troit that Cleveland or Minn. \n\nGO SOX!!!!!!!!!1
1177739
little bling got it exactly right.  These two have practically ruined baseball, especially for the small market teams who can't afford to go out and get your average free agent.  And the suckups at ESPN play it up even more, because they're sandwiched inbetween the two of them.\n\nAs a White Sox fans, it sickens you when you hear Red Sux fans say they're proud of you winning the title last year because you broke your curse the same as the Red Sux did.  Wrong.  Chicago won their title by castoffs from other teams and home-grown talent; the Red Sux went out and bought a title.\n\nThe only rivalry in this country that comes close to being as overhyped as these two assclowns is Puke-UNC in college hoops.
788029
You've nailed it Jen.  The truth!!  All of these people who claim to disagree with you are just not being honest with themselves.  Of course they wish their teams were as successful as the Yankees.  What fan wouldn't?  The bottom line is that money or not the players still have to get the job done on the field.  Georgie is always talking about the Yankees not winning a world series in this century.  The fact is the Tigers haven't won still 1984.  So what is your point Georgie?  The Tigers are nothing more than a one hit wonder.  Big deal, you won a pennant.  You are all missing the point.  It's all about the legend of the Yankees and how it overshadows all of baseball.  No matter what the other teams do, it's still all about the Yankees and how your teams compare.  Some of you just have to make your hateful comments to relieve your frustration.  I think that's pitiful.  Instead of being mad at the Yankees what don't you turn to your own teams ownership and ask them why they don't put a winner on the field.  And don't give me this money crap.  All franchises have the money to buy anyone they want.  It's a matter of stepping up to the plate and doing it.  Obviously they don't have the guts.
434910
They are hated because they have been dominating the league the past couple of years. A lot of people just have the habit of hating teams that are always doing well (THE DYNASTIES): The Yankees, The Patriots, etc.
731845
No, I don't think so; I think that honor belongs to the 2004 ALCS. The Yankees are a good team, no question, but when your team is the first in Major League Baseball history to lose a series when ahead 3-0, that has to be a low point in any team's existence.
505700
I am a Red Sox fan (die-hard) but I'm not going to say anything bad about the Yankees. They are a classy organization (Joe Torre, Derk Jeter are both classy people). I think writing nasty things is the unclassiest thing to do.\n\nMaybe during the games, you can call out names, but that's different cause we are all in the heat of the moment.
688415
If our pitching stays the course, yes.\n\nThe Tigers have the LOWEST era in MLB.\n\nI can't wait to visit "The Cell" and return the favor (sweeping them at home).\n\nIt is going to be an interesting year.\n\nHistory has shown the WS champs hardly repeat, so to all you white sox fans that "claim" you can repeat, I say "Good Riddance!"\n\nWe'll talk more in September.