The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry qualifies under both of these categories.
A New York-Boston bout is the greatest feud in all of sports. No other match up in professional sports offers as much history, hostility, and competition as when the Yanks and Sox assemble and prepare to battle. Where else can you see a 73-year-old coach thrown to the ground by the opposing teams ace pitcher? The only place to catch such action and intensity is in the Bronx or at Fenway Park. The New York-Boston hatred is unmatched in professional sports and is something baseball needs to survive in an era marked by an asterisk.
During a time in baseball in which many spectators are left feeling bamboozled due to accusations of performance enhancing drug use, the sport needs something to pull itself out of the gutter. The one thing that can revive Americas hallmark pastime is the grudge match between the Evil Empire and the formerly cursed BoSox.
Whether it be George Steinbrenner calling out his own club or the opposing Sox, you can guarantee that whatever the outcome is, it will be historic. Anytime these two teams meet for an American League East war, the fire starts to rekindle...