Maura Mcgurk

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 15: Andruw Monasterio #32 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after hitting a two-run double during the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on August 15, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) Getty Images

Recap Confession: I began the game in a mood because of the FOX broadcast. As a dedicated no-cable streamer for years, I have the MLB

The unseen struggle to rejoin the team

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA- AUGUST 14: Jake Bennett #64 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the first inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 14, 2026 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) Getty Images

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Wilyer Abreu #52 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his first inning home run against the New York Yankees in the dugout with his teammates during game one of a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on August 29, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) Getty Images

MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 25: Alec Gamboa (68) of the Boston Red Sox pitches a ball during a game between the Miami Marlins and Boston Red Sox on August 25, 2026 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.(Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Aug 29, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Andruw Monasterio (32) reacts after striking out against the New York Yankees during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Alec Gamboa serves as opener as the Sox and Yankees play the second game of the day. The Sox turned on the gas in the ninth but the Yankees burned through a lot of their bullpen and bench in Game 1.

Connecting the history of Labor Day to baseball's next big union fight

Although many Americans get the day off (respect to all in the retail, service, and other industries who don't), Labor Day got its start in the ugly