During the past 100 years (yes, the last century!), in only five seasons have Boston and New York finished first and second in the final standings where the difference between the two teams was less than 3 games: 1904, 1949, 1977, 1978, and 2000. (For the record, the Yankees finished first in all of these years sans 1904.)

This is an amazing statistic - considering the attention given to the competition between these two franchises (which is claimed by many to be the greatest rivalry in all of sports). In only 5% of the last 100 seasons have the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees truly battled it out for first place. Now, with just 4 weeks left to the 2004 season, we have a chance to witness what may be only the 6th "bona fide" Red Sox and Yankees race for first place.

The next natural question is "How will this year's race end?"
By Steve Lombardi, NetShrine.com
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