Yanks/Sox: Which is the Hamptons' Team?

Red Sox fan Tom Swinimer shows his displeasure after the Yanks swept his team in late August.

If the Hamptons belong to the Empire State, why does it seem that the farther east you head the more Boston Red Sox caps you see? Fortunately, people out here on the East End tend to be more relaxed and laid back than a surly fan at Yankees Stadium or Fenway Park, so we're not encouraging any competitive brawls by asking the question. Still, considering the fact that while out here you can spot someone sporting a hat of either team may require some explanations.

For starters, we know that Hall of Famer Carl "Sideburns" Yastrzemski grew up in Bridgehampton.

We also know that while our airwaves pick up ESPN 1050 AM's Yankees coverage or Michael Kay's play-by-play for the Bronx Bombers on CBS Radio 880 AM, Providence's WCTK 98.1 FM and FNX 103.7 FM broadcast Sox games and updates into our range of frequency as well.

At the peak of summer, anyone can tell you that there are a multitude of Irish in Montauk, and if you are ever around for The End's St. Patty's Day Parade, you'd see the numbers are still large. Combine that with your knowledge of the Irish in Boston (the Celtics, Scorsese's The Departed, etc), a connection begins to reveal itself.

By online map driving directions, it's over 160 miles from Fenway Park to Montauk (including the ferry trip over from Connecticut and through Shelter Island). Meanwhile, Yankees Stadium is just over 115 miles from Montauk. However, by the crow's fly both stadiums are just under 100 miles from Montauk, so there is an odd similiarity in geography.

So the question remains, literally and figuratively speaking, which team is closer to the heart of the Hamptons?