In the very first game of the Wild Card series on September 29, the Boston Red Sox faced a tough 9-0 loss to their rivals, the New York Yankees. Last season, the Sox finished just below the Yankees, ranking third to the Yankees' second in the final AL East standings.
In the past year, both teams have changed for better and worse. Ben Rice, who debuted with the Yankees two years ago, had a breakout season: making a very good showing on September 29, hitting two home runs, including a grand slam, and tallying six RBIs. Meanwhile the Red Sox had a rollercoaster season, completely changing managerial staff and receiving harsh criticism from fans due to the rough start to the season. However, they did add a few key players including Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Ranger Suárez, who all give the team hope going forward. Although this Yankees game hasn't helped their cause, the Red Sox were able to claw their way back to a record of 87 wins.
One Yankees fan, Ellie Robson '29, celebrated, "They won yesterday. They crushed the Red Sox, so I'm in a good mood." In contrast, the group of frustrated Red Sox fans refused to comment on the game, because, as Riley Donovan '29 reported, "it was really, really just a crappy two games."
The majority of fans trace their fanhood back to their roots. Robson and Donovan both used the phrase "born and raised" when explaining their support to both different teams. Donovan "always supports Boston teams [as he is] a loyal Patriots fan, a Celtics fan, [and a] loyal Red Sox fan," following, "I'm not the type of person who will root for out of town teams. I'm a Boston guy, born and raised, and that's who I will support and continue to support." Even if the team in question is different, their fans are "born and raised" just the same.
Robson, who is a fan of the Yankees, responded that while she was not born in New York, she was raised there. She has been a Yankees fan ever since "[she] could remember pretty much, [since she is] a New Yorker at heart."
The fan base of the Red Sox may be unwavering, but after their performance on September 29 and the frustration of the fans, one can only assume that the fans are not at ease.
The games and season are still a fun way to root for a team and display one's hometown pride. Donovan and Robson both have attended their local games. Donovan, of course, supported the Red Sox: "I went to a Red Sox game for my friend's 12th birthday party, and the energy was electric, electric. We won. It was a great game. I had a couple of Fenway Franks. They were phenomenal, but yeah, it was a fantastic experience, 10 out of 10."