Rivalries are not born overnight. They must be genuine and not artificially created. The greatest historical sports rivalries like Red Sox/Yankees, Ohio State/Michigan and Duke/North Carolina are built upon decades of competition and hatred. Memorable victories and devastating losses.
While mutual respect exists among rivals, a healthy resentment still brews. The players don't like each other. The fans despise one another. The mere sight of an opposing team's emblem evokes queasiness. An Auburn fan wouldn't be caught dead cheering for Alabama and vice versa. Never has a friendly word been shared between Jets and Dolphins fans on Sundays between 1 and 4 pm.
That being said, even though it's new, the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays have developed themselves a healthy little rivalry. I should know. I experienced it in person once again this week.
