Red Sox reflect on rivalry at Yankee Stadium

Aug 29, 2008 - 10:33 AM By Larry Fleisher PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer*

NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Jason Varitek would not disclose what souvenirs he took from being a participant in the final game at Yankee Stadium between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Instead he just offered up an accurate memory of a game in which he participated at the legendary ballpark.

Varitek has a wide selection of both good and bad to remember.

There was the painful loss in Game Seven of the ALCS in 2003 when Aaron Boone joined Bucky Dent as another Yankee to have an expletive as his middle name for Red Sox fans.

Of course, there was also the history-making comeback a year later when Varitek and the Red Sox refused to believe they could not get it done, adopting the mantra "Why Not Us" as they tried to end 86 years of frustration for New England. The Red Sox accomplished that with a decisive blowout win over the Yankees in Game Seven and then a four-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Varitek has been around long enough to see those and countless other moments - both good and bad. After playing in his 75th regular-season game - all with the Red Sox, the longtime catcher reflected on a dominating performance by Pedro Martinez on May 28, 2000.

"The strike zone was like this that night," said Varitek, who used his hands to emphasize his recollection. "Ed Rapuano was the plate umpire. Funny thing was, he got hurt and Brian Runge had to come in and work the plate, and he had the same strike zone."

Tim Wakefield's last game at Yankee Stadium was two nights earlier when he pitched five gritty innings. Like Varitek, all of Wakefield's appearances here have been as part of the rivalry between the Red Sox and Yankees.

Wakefield has been with the Red Sox since 1995, so he's seen the rivalry sway in favor of both sides. After his 23rd appearance on the Yankee Stadium mound, he reflected on the significance of being involved in a piece of baseball history over the years.

"Playing in this league the last 14, 15 years, and pitching here for such a long period of time, it's such a cathedral of sports," Wakefield said. "And to walk in to the hallowed grounds, such great players before us have played their game, and walked and ran and hit - it's very special."

Wakefield has a couple of game balls from Tuesday's start and some dirt from the mound where his knuckleballs had mixed results against Yankee hitters over the years.

Younger members of the Red Sox also had the same feelings after they played key roles in the final series here.

Rookie Justin Masterson made a start here on July 5 and was sent down to make the transition to being a reliever. He came back in time to get key outs on Tuesday and struggle in the ninth inning Thursday.

"With all the tradition and everything that's been here, it's great to say that I played here," Masterson said.

For Jeff Bailey, it was just as special. He had the opportunity to reflect on his first visit to Yankee Stadium after a key two-run single that came in just his 11th game as a major league, following nearly 1,100 games in the minors.

"I had never been here - not even as a fan," Bailey said. "When we came out to stretch, it said 16 games left on the big screen; I'm thinking jeez, I'm lucky that I get to be part of maybe the last Red Sox series at this place - that's something to tell my grandkids."

Rookie or veteran, the Red Sox know they've played a role in baseball history. They are glad to have been involved and are looking forward to creating more memories across the street.

"I'm very fortunate to have been a part of it for 11 years of my career," Varitek said. "It's a great thing for baseball. It's a great thing for fans. It's (a great) thing to be a part of as a player even for you guys (media) who probably cover it, it brings a level of excitement. So I don't see that changing when they change venues. It will go down in the scrapbook as getting to play here."