The first game of a critical rivalry series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park came out in favor of the visitors, but a scary injury and its aftermath were far more important than the game’s outcome, as they should have been. Boston reliever Bryce Florie took a line drive right off the face and would not return to a big-league mound for just under a full year, and he pitched only seven games in 2001 before retiring.

Florie’s injury overshadowed the opener, but there were still games to be played, and both teams needed them for different reasons related to playoff implications. The two squads were throwing out two of their best pitchers: Andy Pettitte and Pedro Martinez, setting up for an exciting second game.

September 9: Yankees 5, Red Sox 3 (box score)

Reco

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