In just a few hours, the New York Yankees will face the Boston Red Sox in the first game of the American League Championship Series – and I will be there.

Last year, both teams faced each other in the exact same series, and I was there for the first game as well. I can remember that no matter which team was ahead, the stadium was wrapped in a constant roar that seemed to resonate throughout “The House That Ruth Built.” And although the Yankees lost that first game – they came back to win the series in seven games and head to the World Series – only to lose to the Florida Marlins.

Of all the rivalries in sports history, the feud between the Red Sox and the Yankees is by far the most famous – and the most infamous. From fist fights to name calling to shirts making fun of the other team – there will never be peace between the Boys From Fenway and the Bronx Bombers. But besides the feud, the match-ups between the two teams have also been legendary. Since 2002, the Yankees and the Red Sox have faced each other 64 times – with a 32-32 split in victories. Each time the teams meet in the post-season, the series usually goes to seven games – and both teams right now currently have the best at-home records in all of Major League Baseball. So needless to say – tonight and the rest of the ALCS is going to be a war.

I am so excited that I am going. I was about to leave work when my friend Pierre got a call from his wife. All I heard were the words “extra tickets” and I stopped dead in my tracks. And when he told me that I could have one if I wanted – at no cost – I raced home to change into my Yankees regalia and head to the Stadium to see the most anticipated game in the 2004 baseball season – just like I did last year.

I am not going to make any predictions as to who I think will win the ALCS and head to the World Series against either the St. Louis Cardinals or the Houston Astros – although it is obvious who I want to win. But what I will say for certain is that I am sure this series will go seven games no matter who heads to the World Series – and each of those seven games will have fans of both teams biting their nails while sitting on the edge of their seats.

Well, I am off to Yankee Stadium. Go Yankees!