Red Sox Nation Flap: Hank Steinbrenner Talks the Talk

Without even a pitch being thrown yet this season, the Red Sox and Yankees rivalry has already started, and this one has nothing to do with batting stats, or pitching performances.

In the March 2 issue of the New York Times "Play" Magazine, Hank Steinbrenner, new figurehead of the Yankees, was quoted as saying " [Red Sox Nation] was a creation of the Red Sox and ESPN, which is filled with Red Sox fans," he said.

"Go anywhere in America, and you won't see Red Sox hats and jackets, you'll see Yankee hats and jackets. This is a Yankee country. We're going to put the Yankees back on top and restore the universe to order."

What a bold statement.

It is pretty common knowledge—outside of the microcosm the Steinbrenners live in— that both the Red Sox and Yankees have huge national, and even international followings.

What was the reaction of John Henry, owner of the Red Sox, you ask?

Using the actions-speak-louder-than-words school of thinking, Henry did not miss a beat and rewarded Steinbrenner's comments by making him an honorary member of Red Sox Nation.

Henry also made Steinbrenner eligible for discounts on official Red Sox merchandise, first crack at special offers, incentives and contests, special entry into Fenway Park via "Nation's Way," and, of course, an official membership card.

I think, however, that Steinbrenner is missing the mark and doesn't quite understand the meaning of Red Sox Nation.

The group, which began in earnest in 2005 after the epic 2004 World Series run, was not the product of a partnership between the Red Sox and ESPN, but rather a way to honor, award, and unite Red Sox fans nationwide.

However natiowide Red Sox support—whether Steinbrenner likes it or not— is not a product of anyone's imagination. The team has real and strong support, even outside Fenway Park.

The Red Sox, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, lead the major leagues in road attendance in both 2005 and 2007, meaning that their fans are willing to travel to see their team in action— a testament to both the fans' passion and the difficulty of getting tickets at Fenway Park.

At places like Baltimore, Tampa Bay, and even New York, it is becoming more commonplace to see Red Sox fans turning up in droves to root for their team.

The Yankees, have finished second in attendance on the road since 2000, according to the same statistics.

Steinbrenner's comments will have no real effect on the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry on the field this season, but it certainly makes for good conversation while Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium thaw out from the harsh winter.