Except for the change of the Patriots status and slight demotion of the Red Sox, that’s how I remember it based on Massachusetts people I knew. Even Boston College had its place in the early ‘90s with Doug Flutie.
As a former Dodger fan, I agree with you on the Yankees being the Evil Empire.
I grew up in Wallingford, CT, which was divided 50-50 Yankees/Red Sox. I went to school in Cheshire, which was 60-40 Red Sox (what a difference 10 miles makes!).
When the Yankees and the Red Sox were in the one game playoff with Bucky Dent saving the day, all the guys and even some girls were in the student center, watching. General Hospital was pre-empted (yay!).
That was the peak of the rivalry.
I height of the rivalry between Sox/Yankees was in 2003 and 2004 ALCS series. With the Yankees taking the first one and the Sox the second one.
The most HATED Yankee was ARod. He got taunted more than any other player. Giambi after that.
Jeter and Mariano Rivera were really respected more than any other Yankee. Just because they were the best players in the league at their position.