Assessing the Yankees-Red Sox games length debate

Everyone loves a rivalry.
But how long until you can't bear watching more than 3 hours?

Not long ago did we hear long time and respected umpire Joe West complain about the length of the contests between the bitter AL East rivals, the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Players shot back at the umpire, telling him that he should keep his mouth closed and that he should just roll with the game. From Yankees closer Mariano Rivera:

"It's incredible. If he has places to go, let him do something else. What does he want us to do, swing at balls? He has a job to do. He should do his job. We don't want to play four-hour games but that's what it takes. We respect and love the fans and do what we have to do and that's play our game." (CBS Sports Hardball)

Mariano is absolutely 100% correct. The Yankees should do whatever it takes to win for the fans. I'm not going to argue against that. Should Joe West stop complaining and just call the game? Yes. But is he wrong? Absolutely not.

Understand this, I'm a die-hard Yankees fan, let me emphasize die-hard, but West is correct. When I first heard of this incident I thought "Wow, he just really needs to stay quiet. It's not his place." However, after watching tonight's game, I truly realized what Joe meant by that. The game started at 7:05 PM (I fell asleep during the first inning.) Later on, I wake up and it's about 9:18 PM, Yankees leading 6-1, but they're only in the 4th inning. I was dumbfounded. On the channel guide, the game has an estimated time slot from 7-10 PM. When I saw it was the 4th inning at 9:18, I figured this game was another rivalry game. Next thing I know, the 6th inning comes around, it's 9:42. Now remember, the game is supposed to go till 10, yeah 3 more innings need to be played.

Mainly, you could blame tonight's longevity of the game on the poor pitching. Phil Hughes did NOT have his best stuff tonight. He's been dominating all season, with the exception of tonight. Diasuke Matsuzaka? Bad start, AGAIN. And it's not like the relief pitching was any better. However, right now the game is pretty much over, Yankees batting in the bottom 9th and look it's 10:49 at night, 49 minutes past scheduled programming.

For once, I agree with Joe West on the case of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry game longevity. Everybody wants a good, nail biting game, but not at the expense of 4+ hours.

UPDATE (10:54 PM): Who's ready for another HOUR? That's right fans, A-Rod just hit a game tying 2-run home-run off Jonathan Papelbon in the bottom of the 9th to tie it at 9-9.

And the hours trudge on...