@fbaezer,
The ensuing political clashes proved that I was right.
One thing that is difficult for Americans to understand is that, in other parts of the world, a sport team allegiance is often linked to class, religion, politics, even race.
For example, in Peru, the team Alianza de Lima is followed mostly by the black (Afro-Peruvian?) population, while Sporting Crystal is more middle class.
In London football, Chelsea is kind of posh, while Tottenham Hotspur and WestHam are working class.
In Glasgow, Scotland, Celtic is the team for Catholics, while Rangers is the team for Protestants: one of the biggest football-related tragedies was a fight between the followers of those teams in the early 70s.
In Rome, Roma is the team for the left-wingers and Lazio is the team for the right wingers, fascist salute from some players and all.
Compared to this, the Red Sox- Yankees animosity is child's play.