Rivalry

In general, I like to avoid confrontation, fights, arguments, disagreements. I know that is not quite realistic, but it makes life more enjoyable.

But I will admit to the guilty pleasure of enjoying a rivalry. And not just any rivalry, the Boston Red Sox - New York Yankee rivalry. Because that really is the only one that matters.

I was traveling once and someone mentioned that I, being from New England or for that matter, anywhere above the Mason-Dixon Line, was a Yankee. My ability to talk quickly was unmatched that day as I fervently denied being a Yankee, I even further clarified that the reference was bordering on insulting.

Rivalry can be a waste or a misdirection of emotions for people, but for these two teams (and I am sure that there are others), it notches up the quality of play on both sides.

I find baseball games boring (except the playoffs) and think that the seventh inning stretch really starts in the second. But not Red Sox - Yankee games - I watch every pitch, every minute of the game knowing that my Red Sox will win, if not, then the umpires are blind!