The Empire Cracks: Rodriguez (NYY) v. Varitek (BOS)
JULY 24, 2004 - FENWAY PARK
When the Yankees traded Alfonso Soriano to the Texas Rangers for Alex Rodriguez in February, 2004, Red Sox Nation was inconsolable. Boston had been dealing for Rodriguez for several months before the players’ union ruled that the terms of their deal were unacceptable. That left an opening for the Nemesis To The South to acquire the finest and most complete player of the era. Although the Yankees were humble about their success and general manager Brian Cashman graciously acknowledged how much he had learned by studying Boston’s failures at the negotiating table, it still was hard to take.
When a disheartened John Henry spoke of the imperative to reign in the free-spending New Yorkers with a salary cap, George Steinbrenner counseled him, as any member of the clergy might have done, to try to get over his bitterness and move on with his life. Steinbrenner also climbed into the pulpit to deliver a short but heartfelt homily on the biblical theme of throwing stones. The Yankees should not be criticized for spending what was necessary to provide the best team possible for their fans, he proclaimed with conviction; what was shameful was that the Red Sox were unwilling to go a second mile and demonstrate a similar commitment to their suffering faithful.
Rodriguez, for his part, was benevolent toward everyone, affirming it had been very pleasant to meet the Red Sox leaders but that he was glad to be a New York Yankee. Later in the season he would say it was good to be part of the “Empire.”
The Red Sox got off to a strong start in 2004 but were playing .500 baseball by the time they faced the Yankees at Fenway in late July. In the top of the third inning on July 24, Bronson Arroyo, whom Rodriguez had played against in high school in Florida, hit the newly minted Yankee in the elbow. Instead of proceeding directly to first base as the rules of baseball try to encourage, Rodriguez opted for a baleful stare at his old acquaintance and a series of declarations. Jason Varitek, the Red Sox catcher who was monitoring the extemporaneous oration, soon interposed himself between the two men, impeding Rodriguez’s progress to the mound. It was when Varitek set his mitt firmly against Rodriguez’s face that the benches cleared and a fight broke out that wowed spectators by virtue of its vehemence and sustained enthusiasm. CONTINUED....