5. Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees
Throughout history this has been baseball’s best rivalry, and it’s provided us with some unforgettable moments. For most current fans it reached its peak in 2003-2004. Yankees fans fondly remember the sight of Aaron Boone’s series-winning home run heading over the left field fence in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. It would only take a year for Red Sox fans to have their opportunity to pop the champagne when they came back from a 3-0 deficit to win the 2004 ALCS. In the early 2000s each time these two teams faced off it was must-see TV, and baseball definitely took advantage of the interest.
The Yankees have long been the gold standard in baseball. No team can match their 27 World Series championships. In their rivalry with the Red Sox they hold the overall edge in wins and losses with a 1,161 – 962 record. Up until 2004 Red Sox fans had very little to brag about in this feud, but over the past 10-15 years that perception began to change.
Since 2000 the Red Sox have more World Series titles (2004, 2007, 2013) than the Yankees (2000, 2009), but the Yankees lead the division title race 10-2. So why does this rivalry come in at number five? When it is at its best there’s nothing better than this, but over the past few seasons both teams have had their share of struggles on the field. 2011 is the last time that both teams won at least 90 games.
This rivalry is still good, but until both teams make their way back to the top of the division it won’t top this list.
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