The Quadrangle

Issue date: 11/3/04 Section: Sports

Attention all Yankees fans! Find something new to talk about. The days where an argument about who will win a heated sox/yanks series can be ended by yelling "1918" are over. So basically all of that money you spent on shirts reading "The Curse Lives" and "1918" can be described as the payroll for the 2004 Yankees: a big waste of money.

Yes, it is true that by standings, the Red Sox are right behind the Yankees in payroll, but by the numbers, it is also true that New York spends vastly more than Boston, or any other team for that matter. And as for those "Who's Your Daddy" shirts, it may be time to ask the Yankees that question. Granted they did win three games against the Sox in the ALCS, and some would argue that their team was better than the Sox, and that they did knock Pedro around when he played. But while New York was concentrating on how well they hit Pedro, Boston swiped four straight games from under their feet. While some continue to argue that the Yankees had a better team, it's important to remember the fact that through this season the numbers these teams put up against each other, including wins, is almost identical. And when it came down to the seven game series to decide which team was deeper in both roster and heart, the better team prevailed.

Never since the Revolutionary War has New England won such a sweet victory. With "King George" sitting high on his thrown above Yankee Stadium, issuing out pinstripes in return for Red Coats, the Yankees attempted to mock our team's messy style of play, their camaraderie and rebellious season. After Star outfielder Gary Sheffield was quoted as questioning Boston's toughness and calling their strive for winning an act, the rebel sox turned around and showed everyone how good they are at "acting."

After the initial shock of beating New York to go to the big show, I think everyone in Red Sox nation became a little obsessed with the win. But now that we've defeated the so-called best and most well rounded team, the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston fans have really discovered just what was important to them. And it wasn't defeating the Yankees, but it was that joy to finally be on top, finally say that we won. Defeating the Bronx Bombers was basically like the first time the little brother defeats his older brother in any type of competition. Now that all of the nervousness is out of the way, there is no more lore and superstition that could play a factor in the battle for the A.L. East.

Continued...

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