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Cone: Rivalry between Red Sox, Yankees 'not the same' as it was

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The historic rivalry between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees just doesn't do it for David Cone anymore.

"Well, there's two different viewpoints," the five-time World Series champion said, according to MassLive's Joey Aliberti. "The rivalry on the field amongst the players is not the same. But amongst the fans, it still is. I mean, there's generations of fans that really thrive on this. It's more about the people who root for the laundry, so to speak."

Cone, now an analyst with ESPN and the Yankees' YES Network, is well-acquainted with the rivalry, having played for both teams during his 17-year career. The five-time All-Star pitched with the Yankees from 1995-2000 before playing one season with the Red Sox in 2001. He also made appearances for the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and Kansas City Royals.

"There's always going to be that animosity back and forth," Cone continued. "There's always going to be that. 'We got to beat the Yankees' or vice versa on the other side, 'Just beat the Red Sox.' I've learned that sometimes the game is bigger than you because of the family connections. … That part of it will never leave. But yes, on the field, there's a little less juice nowadays."

Since back-to-back meetings in the ALCS in 2003-04, the two legendary franchises have only met twice in the postseason - once in the 2018 ALDS and most recently for the 2021 AL wild-card game.

The AL East - the domain of both clubs - is especially competitive this year, and the reigning champion Yankees are in third place, 8.5 games back of the first-place Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox are floundering in last place despite a .500 record.

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