5 most controversial moments between Yankees and Red Sox in MLB history ft. Pedro Martinez's takedown

The rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox is not only the biggest rivalry in MLB, it is one of the biggest rivalries in sports. Comparable to the NBA's Lakers-Celtics rivalry and soccer's El Clasico between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid — the baseball rivalry between New York and Boston dates all the way back to 1903 when the two squads first met.

With more than 120 years of history and 2,311 contest between the two squads, there are bound to be some animosty and a plethora of controversial moments in MLB's most storied rivalry.

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5 most controversial moments between Yankees and Red Sox in MLB history

1) The Curse of the Bambino

One of the earliest controversial moments between the two sides actually happened of the field. In 1919, Red Sox owner and Broadway producer Harry Frazee dealt then three-time World Series champion and home run leader Babe Ruth to the Yankees.

"The Bambino" smashed 29 home runs (MLB record in 1918) and posted a 9-5 record with a 2.97 ERA on the mound in the previous season — leading to several question marks as to why Ruth was sold to Yankees for just $100,000. One of the leading theories as to why he was sent to the Bronx was that Frazee lacked funding to produce the musical No, No Nanette.

Whatever the case may be, Ruth's trade kicked off the infamous "curse," hampering the Red Sox in winning titles until it was broken in 2004.

2) A-Rod fights Varitek

One of the most despised figures in early 2000's MLB was Alex Rodriguez. Owing to his success on the field and some controversial actions out of it, A-Rod has especially a notorious figure in the eyes of Red Sox fans. A notable incident happened on July 24, 2004 in a highly-emotional game between the two sides when A-Rod got into a scuffle with Boston backstop Jason Varitek.

After getting hit by a pitch from Bronson Arroyo, Rodriguez took exception and spoke his mind when Varitek followed him while walking to first base. A-Rod's choice words led to some shoving and a bench-clearing brawl. Unbeknownst to everyone involved at the time, it would just be the first chapter in what would be a spicy 2004 season for the two sqauds.

MLB handed Rodriguez and Varitek four-game suspensions for the incident.

3) Bloody sock and glove slap

In Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS, Curt Schilling tormented the Yankees and its fans at the Bronx as he gave up just one run on four base hits in seven innings while pitching with a bloodied sock. Before the game, Schilling underwent a surgery to fix a tendon on his ankle. The pitcher, however, remained unfazed as he delivered a winning performance to force a Game 7.

Another noteworthy moment in the game happened during the eighth frame when Alex Rodriguez slapped the ball out of the glove of Bronson Arroyo while running to first base to avoid an out. What was originally an RBI-double for A-Rod was reversed as the star slugger was called out for interference.

4) Aaron Boone cements himself in Yankee lore

Often being joked about by Yankee fans to this day as to how Aaron Boone landed his job as a skipper and continues to keep it, traces back to the 2003 ALCS Game 7. The one-time MLB All-Star smashed a solo walk-off bomb in the 11th inning that cemented his place in team history as it eliminated the Red Sox and sent the Bombers to the Fall Classic.

5) Pedro Martinez takes down Don Zimmer

One of the most infamous moments not only in the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, nay MLB history, happened in Game 3 of the 2003 ALCS when Red Sox All-Star Pedro Martinez grabbed 72-year-old Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer on the back of the head and tossed him to the ground.

The scuffle wasn't an isolated case as Martinez plunked Yankees outfielder Karim Garcia earlier in the ball game, leading to Roger Clemens seeking revenge for his teammate by throwing near the head of Red Sox All-Star Manny Ramirez. As soon as Clemens and Ramirez started a shouting match, the two benches cleared — leading to the Martinez-Zimmer incident.