by Matthew Emma

Created on: July 28, 2009   Last Updated: July 29, 2009

There are so many friendly arguments to be had when comparing the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Although I am a die hard Yankee fan, I also like to consider myself a realist. When the Red Sox have an edge, I won't deny it or ignore it simply because the Sox have it.

This article is not intended to knock the Red Sox or their fans. They are a great team, possess as loyal a fan base as a franchise can get, have a storied history and play in one of the most enjoyable ballparks to witness a game in Fenway Park. That said, they are not the Yankees and, when it comes down to opining about which "country" of fandom is bigger "Yankee Nation" or "Red Sox Nation," the Yankees win. The following are some reasons why.

The base of the "nation" is much larger in New York. Before anyone in the greater New England area seeks to tear me to shreds, I will admit the Boston metro region and Vermont, Connecticut, the rest of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine are an expansive area, encompassing millions of people, many of whom are loyal Sox fans. However, even the most die hard member of "Red Sox Nation" has to admit the New York City (NYC) metro area is just bigger.

The five boroughs of NYC are a part of one of the most populated cities in the world. A good portion of them are Yankee fans. When one factors in the tri-state suburban region is comprised of several million more Yankee fans as well, it is as obvious as the day is long that this is one of the biggest fan bases anywhere. In addition, I would venture to say there are many more Yankee fans dispersed across the United States and world than there are Red Sox fans.

Forgive me Sox fans, or fans of any other team, but the Yankees are the greatest sports franchise on planet earth. I hate to be an arrogant Yankee enthusiast here, but I don't think I am lying. I won't regale readers with all of the organization's accomplishments on and off the field, but suffice it to say, the organization has been extremely successful and are the envy and model of many other organizations. Again, this isn't to say the Red Sox aren't one of the best, but they aren't the Yankees.

The term "Red Sox Nation," in my opinion, is a "Johnny Come Lately" moniker. This argument may be the most controversial of all the points made in this article, but I think the "Red Sox Nation" developed as more of an anti-Yankee organization than a group of loyal Red Sox fans. It bears repeating, true blue Red Sox fans are among the most loyal fans in the world. Up until very recently, they had very little to cheer about, but always rooted for their team with a spirit few could imagine. Those fans deserve and are easy to respect.

However, a fair percentage of those in the so-called "Red Sox Nation" I wouldn't classify as honest to goodness Sox fans. Some of them are Yankee haters who latched onto a team they felt had the chance to knock off the big bad Bronx Bombers. When the Red Sox finally beat the Yanks in 2004, the nation grew with a number of supporters who reveled in seeing the Yankees go down more than celebrating the Red Sox triumph.

I have a sneaking suspicion that, if the Red Sox ever hit a downturn (highly doubtful) that saw the Yanks winning titles again, a new team's "nation" would emerge if they had the chance of standing up to the hated Yanks.

In the end, the Red Sox may have a "Nation," but it cannot compete with the Yankees "Universe."

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