Everyone wants to be a part of it. Regardless of what team you cheer for, opening night in baseball is one of a kind. It is a day that recognizes America’s past time. The amount of viewers on opening night this season should be ready for a barn-burner. One of the most anticipated openers this season will be when the Boston Red Sox host the New York Yankees on Sunday April 4th at Fenway. From what it looks like, the Yankee’s will throw starting pitcher CC Sabathia in hopes to pick up right where the ACE left off last season. This spring has been nothing short of a success from Sabathia. He is peaking right at the end of spring training into the start of the 2010 season.
After reading over the New York Yankee website that I have been following, Yankees manager Joe Girardi, has spoke highly over Sabathia’s past two starts and mentioned briefly that he plans for Sabathia to take the mound on opening night. In the brief article, Girardi made gestures that sum up the ACE and his spring performances:
"I really liked what CC did today," Girardi said. "His last two starts, he's been extremely efficient, and he had command all day today -- an outstanding changeup, very good breaking ball, the location was great. It's pretty much what CC is."
As you can reference for yourself on the Yankee website, the article begins with the homerun heroics once again of Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez. But Rodriguez’s moment of glory was shattered by Sabathia’s routing of the Detroit Tigers. Sabathia pitched 5 1/3 innings of two-run, eight-strikeout ball in a 6-2 victory over the Tigers.
As the spring is almost near its end, Phil Hughes name is still mentioned as a possible candidate for the 5th spot in this seasons starting rotation. Today looked to be a great opportunity to prove himself in a starting role against the Tigers. However, the weather became an issue as today’s matchup was cancelled due to rain. He was listed to follow starting pitcher A.J. Burnett. Hughes would have pitched against a quality Detroit lineup. The Tigers listed they had planned to play almost all their projected season starters in today’s game. Here is a look at what would have been the starting lineup for both teams:
YANKEES
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Johnson 1B
Jorge Posada C
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Curtis Granderson CF
Randy Winn LF
Francisco Cervelli DH
RHP A.J. Burnett
TIGERS
Brandon Inge 3B
Johnny Damon LF
Magglio Ordonez RF
Miguel Cabrera 1B
Carlos Guillen DH
Don Kelly CF
Gerald Laird C
Scott Sizemore 2B
Adam Everett SS
RHP Justin Verlander
Reaching back to Opening Day and what it means to the Yankees would be nothing short of 2 out of 3 minimum wins against the Red Sox. Starting the season off on the wrong foot could tarnish a positive spring. In the Yankees situation, not having such a great spring season would mean getting back on track with a couple wins in Boston. Given the past few years, it has been more difficult than ever to defeat the Red Sox at Fenway. Let’s face it, the team finally found a way to win when it matters. The team has tasted World Series victory twice in the past 10 years, something they hadn’t done since the departure of Babe Ruth from their organization back in 1918. Plus, from a fan’s perspective, anytime your team defeats their divisions rival it is always bittersweet.
After doing some research on the New York Yankee and Boston Red sox rivalry, I learned information from the earlier days in baseball. Here was a timeline that I pulled from a great online source in the USA Today.
History still on Yankees' side in Red Sox rivalry
From staff reports
The Boston Red Sox (as the Boston Americans) first played the New York Yankees (then the Baltimore Orioles) on April 26, 1901. (Baltimore won 10-6.) It has been a rivalry ever since and history favors the Yankees:
April 20, 1912
Fenway Park opens with the Red Sox beating the New York Highlanders (Yankees) 7-6.
Sept. 11, 1918
Boston beats the Chicago Cubs, four games to two, and wins the last of its five World Series titles.
Jan. 3, 1920
Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sells George Herman "Babe" Ruth's contract to Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert for $125,000 and a $350,000 loan. Ruth becomes the greatest player in history and the Red Sox don't break .500 for a decade.
April 18, 1923
New York wins its inaugural game in Yankee Stadium by beating Boston 4-1. It becomes "The House that Ruth Built."
Oct. 15, 1923
The Yankees beat the New York Giants four games to two and win the first of their 26 World Series titles.
Oct. 8, 1927
The Yankees sweep the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Series four games to none, capping a banner year. Ruth hits 60 home runs. The Red Sox lose 103 games.
The 1940s
The two purest hitters in baseball, Joe DiMaggio (New York) and Ted Williams (Boston), dominate play.
Oct. 2, 1949
The Red Sox and the Yankees battle for the pennant in the last two games of the season. New York wins both games (5-4, 5-3) and goes on to beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series four games to one.
Oct. 2, 1978
The Yankees and Red Sox, tied for first at the end of the regular season, meet in a one-game playoff. Bucky Dent helps end Boston's postseason hopes with a three-run home run. New York wins 5-4.
Oct. 13, 1999
New York and Boston meet for the first time in postseason play. New York prevails four games to one.
Oct. 8, 2003
New York and Boston meet in postseason play for the second time. New York wins 6-5 in Game 7.
Feb. 16, 2004
The New York Yankees trade for Alex Rodriguez. Boston was trying reach a deal for A-Rod two months earlier.
Jumping ship
Among the players who have swapped uniforms over the years: Former Boston third baseman Wade Boggs (1993) and pitcher Roger Clemens (1999) donned New York pinstripes. Former Yankees outfielder Danny Cater (1972) and pitcher Ramiro Mendoza (2003) joined the Red Sox.
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