Hot Yankees-Red Sox rivalry appears to be returning

It looks like it’s going to be the old Yankees-Red Sox thing again because both teams appear to have the weapons to make it so. And if so, what a summer it will be! I’m remembering 1977 and ’78, and the rivalry many years before that, back in the 1940s and ’50s when the Yanks were always winning AL pennants and the Red Sox were always a day late and a buck short.

The prospect has me feeling young again.

When Giancarlo Stanton launched his five-million foot home run Monday night, a Mantle-like smash against the Twins, it became clear that we are at the start of a blockbuster season. Both teams have a stockpile of legitimate window-breakers and both appear to have, if not superior, at least adequate pitching.

I know, I know, I’m ignoring the team that just might be better than both, Cleveland. But, in view of what has happened over the first 20 or so games, I can’t make myself contemplate anything but Yanks-Red Sox. I hope I’m right because there are few things in baseball that get fans’ (I’m one) hearts pounding like this matchless rivalry when both teams are in the pennant mix.

Boston and New York are making their new managers, Alex Cora and Aaron Boone, look good. It’s hard to believe the Sox have performed so well, playing without the middle of their infield. Xander Bogaerts and Dustin Pedroia are terrific players who carry big sticks. Yet, so far they are hardly missed. They might be hard to notice anyway because the outfield of Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley and Andrew Benintendi looks to be about the best in the league.

It’s the most exciting outfield seen at Fenway Park since Ted Williams, Dom Di Maggio and Jackie Jenson.

And this is the most exciting Yankee team since the days of Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson and Lou Piniella, when Billy Martin was the manager.

Maybe the good weather has me dreaming. I get a charge out of watching the Yanks current sluggers Aaron Judge, Stanton and the catcher, Gary Sanchez — three great home run hitters — on the attack.

Lately, shortstop Didi Gregorius has joined the parade of genuine Bronx Bombers in the house that replaced the house the original Bronx Bomber, Babe Ruth, built. Didi crushed a grand slam home

run Monday, in case you missed it. Didi’s bat has been so productive — .324 average, seven homers, 24 RBIs – that Boone has him batting third behind Brett Gardner and Judge. He does it all with his glove, too. Except for Cal Ripken, I can’t remember a more proficient slugger/shortstop since the Red Sox’s Vern “Junior” Stevens in the post-war 1940s.

Home run hitters are the players who sell the tickets, as any owner will tell you, and the Yankee roster is crowded with them. The big sluggers have written the big baseball stories down through the years.

It feels to me like the old days are back, when we’d ride the school bus back to Burrville from North School, arguing baseball all the way on the mile walk home from Burrville Store. It was always the Red Sox fans versus the Yankee fans, DiMaggio versus Williams, etc. All of us could name the rosters not only of the Yanks and Red Sox, but many of the other teams, like the Dodgers, Giants and Cardinals, too.

Mostly, however, it was Yanks and Red Sox and fiery arguments.

Do kids still argue baseball on school buses? I don’t know. But they once did, I promise you. Most of those voices are stilled now. But the rivalry endures and I feel young again.