New York Yankees Open The 2011 Campaign, The Detroit Tigers: Two years ago, when the Yankees outbid the Red Sox and won the Mark Teixeira Sweepstakes, it was widely believed that the balance of power had shifted back to the Bronx. Sure enough, the Yankees went on to win their first World Series in nine years, while the Red Sox suffered an embarrassing three-game Division Series sweep against the Los Angeles Angels.
Last year, true enough, the Yankees didn’t defend their title, falling to the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series. But at least they made the playoffs; the battered Red Sox were pretty much out of the postseason hunt by late August.
But such is the glow of these 2011 Red Sox that one would think they were defending World Series champions. It’s as though the past two seasons have been wiped off the books. The calendar has been moved back to April 2008, which was when the Sox unfurled their second championship banner in four seasons.
Last year, true enough, the Yankees didn’t defend their title, falling to the Texas Rangers in the American League Championship Series. But at least they made the playoffs; the battered Red Sox were pretty much out of the postseason hunt by late August.
But such is the glow of these 2011 Red Sox that one would think they were defending World Series champions. It’s as though the past two seasons have been wiped off the books. The calendar has been moved back to April 2008, which was when the Sox unfurled their second championship banner in four seasons.
Put it all together, and then factor in the perception that the lazy, lethargic Yankees snoozed through their winter, and this is where we are: It’s OK again for Sox fans to hitch up their pants and proclaim that their team is better than the Yankees.
True, there are questions, and concerns, about the 2011 Red Sox. Is the starting rotation all that strong once you get past Jon Lester [stats] and Clay Buchholz? Anybody worried about Jarrod Saltalamacchia handling the pitching staff? If he fails, can veteran Jason Varitek [stats] dust himself off and catch a bunch of games? Anybody wondering if another April/May slump from David Ortiz [stats] is in our immediate future? And what’s the deal with Jonathan Papelbon [stats]?
As for the Yankees, it’s not like they didn’t do anything this past winter: They added reliever Rafael Soriano, who has saved a combined 72 games over the past two seasons. And, yes, the scouts rave about rookie righty Ivan Nova, and down the road there’s this Manny Banuelos kid, and ...
But nobody around here wants to entertain concerns about the Red Sox, just as nobody wants to entertain any ideas that the Yankees might actually be, you know, pretty good.
True, there are questions, and concerns, about the 2011 Red Sox. Is the starting rotation all that strong once you get past Jon Lester [stats] and Clay Buchholz? Anybody worried about Jarrod Saltalamacchia handling the pitching staff? If he fails, can veteran Jason Varitek [stats] dust himself off and catch a bunch of games? Anybody wondering if another April/May slump from David Ortiz [stats] is in our immediate future? And what’s the deal with Jonathan Papelbon [stats]?
As for the Yankees, it’s not like they didn’t do anything this past winter: They added reliever Rafael Soriano, who has saved a combined 72 games over the past two seasons. And, yes, the scouts rave about rookie righty Ivan Nova, and down the road there’s this Manny Banuelos kid, and ...
But nobody around here wants to entertain concerns about the Red Sox, just as nobody wants to entertain any ideas that the Yankees might actually be, you know, pretty good.