Sox Make Hank Honorary Member of Red Sox Nation - Hank Says No Thanks

From The Boston Herald (hat tip to Peter Abraham):

Shortly after the Yankees’ new Boss complained about “what a bunch of (expletive)” Red Sox Nation is, Red Sox principal owner John Henry has had a chance to respond.

Sensing jealousy, Henry is killing Steinbrenner with kindness. He’s adopting him as one of his own.

“I’m a big Hank fan,” wrote Henry in an email. “Just to ensure he knows how cool Red Sox Nation is, (Saturday) we officially inducted him as a member of Red Sox Nation and we are sending him his membership card giving him access to an array of options including our newsletter, bumper stickers, pins, Green Monster seats and a hat personally autographed by David Ortiz.”

That should make everyone happy now.

George A. King III had Hank's response:

"I am not joining Red Sox Nation, honorary or not," Steinbrenner said shortly before the Yankees played the Phillies today at Legends Field. "I'll respond to that later. Trust me, I am not joining Red Sox Nation."

"John is a great guy and my dad always loved him. I love him, Hal loves him. He has done a tremendous job with the Red Sox," Steinbrenner said. "My point was simple: the Yankee brand is the biggest in the country and everybody knows that. There is no dispute. That's not meant as a cut to the Red Sox. I am not just saying it, it's the truth. John has done an unbelievable job with the Red Sox brand."

Though Steinbrenner believes Red Sox-Yankees is the best and most intense rivalry in sports, he also let it be known the blood rivals on the field could be sharing a business bed off the diamond.

"I can tell you this, we have a lot in common," Steinbrenner said without explaining what ventures the clubs are exploring. "Red Sox ownership and Yankee ownership has a lot in common and a lot of common interests. You never know, we may end up being partners outside of baseball. The Yankees-Red Sox will always be the greatest rivalry in American sports on the field, but we have a lot in common in a lot of ways."

What would Bill Lee and Graig Nettles think of that? Or Jason Varitek and Alex Rodriguez? Or Don Zimmer and Pedro Martinez?

Steinbrenner said he wasn't trying to add fuel to the rivalry with his comments. And he didn't believe Henry's rebuttal flamed the fires.

"It is what it is and always will be," Steinbrenner said. "But we have a lot of things in common and we need to stick together on things. Yet on the other hand there will always be a rivalry. The players respect that and I think common respect is a healthy thing."

And this from the AP via MSG.com:

"It's going to be a tougher rivalry than it ever was in the past," Steinbrenner said. "It's going to continue to be a tough, tough, tough rivalry. And they're always going to be good as long as John is the owner."

But don't think Steinbrenner is easing up on the Yankees' greatest rival, saying New York "will be better, that's the bottom line."

Steinbrenner added: "I haven't soften on the Red Sox any, I don't want to worry the fans. We'll always be arch rivals."