Ghosts of rivalry past loom large ahead of Red Sox/Yankees Wild Card finale

NEW YORK The Red Sox may have reversed the Curse of the Bambino Octobers ago but the specter of the Sultan of Swat loomed over Yankee Stadium in the hours leading up to the deciding Encounter of the rivals Wild Card series Penciled in to pitch for the Red Sox when the meeting began at p m ET was left-hander Connelly Early At years and days old he would be the youngest Red Sox pitcher in a postseason competition since the Bambino himself Babe Ruth was years and days old when he pitched all innings of Battle and drove in the tying run in the World Series We look at all the available arms and pick the guy that we think has the best chance to win a competition for us chief baseball officer Craig Breslow reported the Herald But no it s crazy Because of syllabus there had to be something It s impossible for these two teams to meet without a few sort of blast from the past making its way into the conversation During their years without a championship Red Sox fans came to believe there was something beyond their unit s control The three former players who now lead the way in Boston were feeling a similar type of way on Thursday afternoon Having won Red Sox championships during their own playing careers going from the driver s seat to passengers is a uniquely stressful experience I feel it every single championship noted Alex Cora It s different than as a athlete you know as a performer I had control of making a play not making a play putting the ball in play I had control of that As a manager all we can do is make decisions The obvious biggest difference is I don t really have the ability to impact the outcome of this challenge right now announced Breslow So I m a fan I remember what it was like to play I remember what it was like to contribute directly to the outcome This is a very different experience During Red Sox batting practice Jason Varitek longtime captain current coach and vanquisher of the curse stepped into the cage and took several swings Perhaps to psych out the Yankees or to motivate his own hitters The Yankees had their own legendary tormentor ready to go Just before p m Bucky Dent New York s hero and Boston s nemesis threw out the ceremonial first pitch Then it was time to write a new chapter in the long and chaotic rivalry