What makes professional sports so exciting? Yes, it is the best talent in the world, but I believe what makes sports so exciting are the rivalries between teams. Rivalries raise the level of play from just a sporting event to a test of loyalty and passion. There is something about rivalries that make athletes do whatever it takes to win and fans detest someone who is wearing the opposing colors.
Whether it be caused by the geographic proximity of the teams, a dirty play in a previous encounter, or a backstabbing by a player, all rivalries are a heated affair. But what makes the best rivalries stand out from the rest? The difference between a good rivalry and a bad rivalry boils down to the attitudes of the players and fans. In a bad rivalry, the media pushes hatred between the teams where there was none already and the players feel indifferent toward each other. Think about the newly created University of Connecticut versus University of South Florida “Civil Conflict” football rivalry. The best rivalries pit two passionate sets of players and fans that legitimately hate each other.
Without further ado, here are the top rivalries in each sport:
MLB- New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox
Perhaps the most well-known rivalry in American sports is that between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Stemming from the Boston trade of Herman “Babe” Ruth to the Yankees in 1919, the two teams have both literally and figuratively traded blows ever since. While the winning history of both teams adds to the ferocity of the rivalry, it extends further into a great battle between two of the most passionate sport cities. Bostonians and New Yorkers mix about as well as water and vinegar. Wearing the gear of your team in the opposing city comes with a major risk, as can be seen in this video of a man paying the price for wearing a Yankees jersey in Boston. You know a rivalry is good when it extends past the field into the metropolis.
NFL- Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens
Despite this being in the infant stages of rivalries compared to the others, it would be hard to top the legitimate hatred between the players of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. Games between these two AFC North foes are nothing short of a slugfest. Former Steelers great Hines Ward described the rivalry as, “just pure hatred – just like two old-fashioned bullies meeting in an alley.” When these two teams battle, records can be ignored as each team wants nothing more than to win and will do anything in their power to do it. In a rivalry characterized by violence, this twice-a-year battle leaves players and fans preparing for their hardest game yet.
NBA- Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics
While neither team is currently contending for a title, historically this rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics has been driven by the perennial success of the duo. In its peak in the 1980s, they combined to win seven out of the ten titles in that decade, with the Lakers holding a two to one edge in the finals between the teams. With some of the best players in the history of the NBA on both teams, it has been a battle between the greatest of talents, including games between Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Larry Bird, and most recently Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce. This rivalry has stood the test of time with future Hall of Famers and all-time greats continuously appearing for the Lakers and Celtics each year.
NHL- Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins
The contests between the Montreal Canadiens and the Boston Bruins pits not only two of the original six NHL teams but also two of the proudest fan bases in league. While this rivalry has been historically great, including many playoff meetings, it has intensified in the recent years as the physicality has increased. The catalyst that raised the rivalry from good to the best in the league by a considerable margin was the body check from Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara that broke the neck of Habs forward Max Pacioretty in 2011 season. That hit escalated the passions of the fans and players to a level that is unmatched in the league.
