With more than a century of history in the books, the biggest rivalries in MLB are woven into the fabric of baseball. From 19th-century feuds to modern-day battles, let’s take a closer look at the biggest MLB rivalries.
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox
There are many high-profile MLB rivalries, but the rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox is arguably the greatest of them all. The feud dates all the way back to the “Curse of the Bambino” following the trade of Babe Ruth. Since then, the Yankees and Red Sox have produced countless memorable games, on-field scuffles and fan disputes.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants
Of course, the Dodgers and Giants are California rivals nowadays, but their rivalry began back in the 19th century when both franchises started out in New York. With the Dodgers based in Brooklyn and the Giants based in Upper Manhattan, the two teams clashed on multiple occasions. They even moved to California in the same year, intensifying their rivalry in the process.
New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Not only is the Yankees-Dodgers rivalry one of the biggest rivalries in MLB history, but it is also one of the greatest feuds in American sports. Until the late 1950s, the Dodgers played in Brooklyn, forging a fierce rivalry with the Bronx Bombers. The teams also met in the World Series on 11 occasions between 1941 and 1981, enhancing the competitiveness between them.
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs
Ever since the St. Louis Browns and Chicago White Stockings tied the 1885 World Series, the two sides have shared one of the biggest rivalries in MLB. As two of the oldest franchises in baseball, these teams have clashed on countless occasions over the years, developing a mutual hatred along the way. Nowadays, the Cardinals and Cubs are bitter NL Central foes.
New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Due to the close proximity, teams from New York and Philadelphia have intense rivalries in many different sports. However, the rivalry between the Mets and Phillies is arguably one of the fiercest. From the infamous brawls in the 1980s to the relentless battles in the 2000s, the Mets-Phillies rivalry has to be one of the biggest MLB rivalries out there.
New York Yankees vs. New York Mets
We couldn’t make a list of the biggest rivalries in MLB without talking about the two New York franchises. Named the “Subway Series”, the Yankees-Mets rivalry has served up more than its fair share of memorable contests and controversial moments over the years. Every time the teams go head-to- head, New York baseball fans have no choice but to get involved.
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