Greatest Rivalry: Tobacco Road or Yanks/Soxs?

North Carolina Tarheels vs. Duke Blue Devils

Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees

UNARGUABLY the two greatest rivals in sports history
Do not argue that statement.

For those of you who just opened a new Internet Explorer and searched "google" for "the greatest rivalries ever," you won't find anything else. I promise you. This is as good as it gets.

There is nothing greater than kickin' back on the couch and watchin either two of these great teams battle it out

But, which rivalry is greater?

These rivalries have been going on for longer than I can remember. I think its safe to say that each of these rivalries absolutely hate eachother. When I say hate, I'm being nice.

North Carolina vs. Duke

Personally, I believe this rivalry lit up in 1968 when Duke prevailed over Carolina in a triple overtime thriller, 87-86.

How about 1974. Carolina trailing by 8 points with a lone 17 ticks remaining in the game. Someone once said, "It's not over til it's over." Walter Davis of Carolina banked in a 30 foot shot as time expired to send the game into overtime. Carolina took the edge in the end, 96-92.

In 1979, North Carolina was shut-out in the first half. Yes, I said it. They didn't score a point! In fact, they only took two shots in the first half, both being Airrrr ballssss. Duke went onto to win, 47-40.

Michael Jordan's final game at North Carolina was one to remember. Would you think it wouldn't be? Carolina won by a 13 point margin only by fighting off Duke in two overtimes.

I could go on and on and on about this rivalry. I won't. Not at least til I cover one more game.

March 4th, 2007...aka "The Flying Elbow"

One of the dirtiest plays I've ever seen in a sporting even. Duke guard, Gerald Henderson went airborne with a flying elbow right to the center of Tyler Hansbrough's face. Was it dirty? I think so. I honestly thought I was watching WWE for a second. I could see it happening earlier in the game unintentionally, but the game was clearly iced with only 14 ticks left when Henderson jumped off the top ropes.

Hansbrough fell to the ground while blood flew everywhere. Henderson was ejected, and the rivalry just ignited. One of the greatest games I've ever seen. Hands down. Carolina went onto win 86-72.

Next...

Yankees vs. Red Sox

This rivalry dates back to over 100 years ago. Similar to the North Carolina-Duke Rivalry, there are some memories that will never be forgotten.

In 1920, The Redsoxs possibly made the biggest mistake in baseball history. Trading Babe Ruth. Yes Babe Ruth. America's greatest pastime. 714 career homeruns. Not only did he dominate as a hitter, but he posted two 20+ wins seasons as a pitcher.

In 1978, who would have thought these two powerhouses would have ended up tied for the division lead 162 games later. The Redsoxs led the division by 14 games at one point, only to blow a one game playoff to the Yankees

The Yankees and Redsoxs have only met on three occasions during the post-season in the last ten years. In 1999 the Yankees dominated the series in a 4-1 deficit.

The 2003 ALCS Game Seven was a night i'll never forget. Extending the game into the 11th inning, Aaron Boone stepped to the plate. On the very first pitch Boone sent a shot into left field that sent the Yankees onto the World Series

Just one year later the Yankees and Sox once again met in the ALCS. The Yankees dominated the first three games on the series, taking a 3-0 lead. The Soxs marched back with two straight extra inning wins, including a walk-off home run by David Ortiz. The Redsox's went onto win the final two games of the series, and eventually onto win the World Series.

As I stated above, I could go on and on about this rivalry, but I won't. If you don't think this rivalry is heated, then ask Alex Rodriguez or Jason Varitek. Once you ask them, then ask Don Zimmer. The guy is 77 years old and was tossed to the ground by Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez.

So I'm done.

There is no denying the greatness of either of these rivalries. Countless number of bench clearing brawls or dugout's clearing's. When either of these two meet, throw the records out the door. It doesn't matter. These two sets of teams truely represent the true meaning of the world "rivalry." Hatred.

So, which is greater?