What’s crazier is he almost missed first pitch, there was a water main break on his block and he was stuck. NYPD had to pick him up and get him to stadium
I remember shutting the TV off as Boone rounded second base. Utterly stunned, realizing that a worse moment than '86 had just happened. Pre-2004 mentality came with an acceptance that never winning a championship was extremely likely, but actually suffering through a moment worse than the all-time most torturous moment from 17 years previous was something I'd never even considered as a possibility. Called my girlfriend after about 4 minutes in need of reassurance. She said something like, "Who cares? It's a baseball game." I hung up without saying another word. That's all I remember. Then 2004 happened, so it's all good.
For all the October DRAMA, the most dramatic baseball October since 1986….. why does it feel that FLA/NYY is like drawing the short straw of World Series matchups?
The ultimate irony: After an Interleague season in which Hm hm talked about many possible 2003 World Series matchups (Montreal/Oakland, Cardinals/Royals, Braves/Mariners, Phillies/Red Sox, Giants/White Sox), our actual World Series is……… A matchup we did not see at all in the summer
I get what Pedro is saying at the end, but the fact is Grady was the final authority on whether or not he stayed in the game and should have recognized that Pedro was out of gas. Ultimately, Grady made the same mistake as Dusty Baker in the other LCS
This 2003 ALCS and the 2003 World Series is beginning of the end for Soriano as a member of the Yankees, as the Yankees front office are not too pleased with his performance.
Both the American League and the National League championship series popped a big number for Fox. The Game 7s for each series were each above 25 Million viewers. Next year's Yankees-Red Sox Game 7 would even go bigger with over 30 Million viewers. Great times for Fox Baseball.
Its a real shame that Grady Little was let go after this 2003 season. He deserved better. Boston will replace Grady Little with Terry Francona to be their new manager. Francona managed the Phillies from 1997-2000, and he was on the Oakland coaching staff in 2003. Francona was also Michael Jordan’s manager when Jordan was in the WSOX minor leagues playing baseball after his June 1993 retirement from basketball, that Jordan even contacted the RSOX front office and recommended Francona.
Well as a Dodger fan, I'm beginning to see the value and wisdom of firing a manager after one big dumb decision. I've had to watch a team loaded with talent for years constantly underachieve under Dave Roberts. No, I don't count the 2020 pity ring.
All Grady Little had to do was take out Pedro. He was CLEARLY gassed. He did so too late, and then the Red Sox choked, and now it would be shocking if Grady Little ever set foot in Boston again WITHOUT a bodyguard. The 2003 World Series could've been between the Cubs and Red Sox if their managers didn't make boneheaded decisions. Sure, the Red Sox redeemed themselves a year later, and we all know what would happen to the Cubs, but still.
I’d say this is the biggest World Series matchup letdown since the last time Florida made it, but even 97 had "Can long suffering Cleveland finally win it all?"
If Grady did pull Pedro, who would you have trusted to get the final outs? Remember they never truly solved the closer by committee experiment (Derek Lowe had to get the final outs in Oakland)
Yankees vs. Red Sox: Round 25 (aka Game 6). The Red Sox' bats break out in Game 6 of a game they need to have. Varitek hit a solo shot in the 3rd, and would lead to a 4-run inning to go up 4-1. But in the bottom of the 4th, the Yankees get to starter John Burkett for two runs to make it 4-3. And then, Garciaparra boots an inning ending grounder. Curse of the Bambino? Especially when Soriano doubled home two to put the Yanks ahead. A Jorge Posada home run in the 5th extended the lead to 6-4. But before turning over to Football, the Red Sox get to the bullpen in the 7th. A Nomar triple, a Manny double and a single by Ortiz tied the score. A bases loaded walk put the Sox ahead. Then, in the 9th, Trot Nixon hit a two-run shot. Scott Williamson saved his third game of the series as the Red Sox won 9-6. And after 6 rounds on the Judges' cards, it's tied at three games each. One more thrilling game to go. It's also the first time since 1973 that both LCSs will go the limit. Yankees vs. Red Sox: Round 26 (aka Game 7). How many fans are tuning in to watch this Game 7. The winner of this battle will host the Marlins in the World Series. Oh, and it's Pedro vs. the Rocket, the Sequel, after what took place in Game 3. After a scoreless first, Trot Nixon (.hitting .370 lifetime vs. Clemens) took the Rocket deep for a two-run shot as part of a 3-run inning. Then, in the 4th, Kevin Millar went deep to put the Sox up 4-0. Following a pair of singles, Clemens was knocked out. But Mike Mussina, in his first ever relief appearance, stopped the Sox from scoring in the next three frames. Jason Giambi went deep in both the 5th and 7th innings to cut the deficit in half. Then, in the 8th, David Ortiz found the seats and it was now 5-2 Red Sox. Having thrown 100+ pitches after 7 innings, Pedro took the mound in the 8th to the surprise of many. He got a pop out. Five more outs and the Red Sox will be in their first World Series since 1986. But after throwing 100 pitches in 2003, hitters hit over .350 off Pedro. Jeter doubled. Damon singled to make it 5-3. Lefty Alan Embree was ready to face Matsui, but Grady Little stuck with Pedro. It would prove costly as Matsui hit a ground rule double. Then, Jorge Posada hit a blooper that fell in for a hit, and both runs scored to tie the game and bring down the house at the Bronx. NOW, Pedro Martinez leaves. But it's likely too late. Mariano Rivera came on in the 9th, and he threw three pressure-filled innings, throwing 48 pitches in the process. It was now the bottom of the 11th and Tim Wakfield was in his 2nd inning of work. On came Aaron Boone, 2-for-19 in the ALCS and benched at the start of the game, for his first AB of the night. On one pitch, Boone sailed it into the seats in left. For the first time all year, the Yankees won a game where they trailed by 4 runs, 6-5. They were headed to the World Series for the 6th time in 8 years to face the Fish. Rivera was named ALCS MVP for his 2 saves in 8 innings of work. And for the Red Sox, Boone will forever be linked to the Curse of the Bambino just like Bucky Dent, Bill Buckner, etc. So too will Grady Little, whom five days later, was ousted as manager of the Red Sox. I wonder what it will do to the Sox' morale for the 2004 season, now knowing they have gone 85 years without a title. And a sign after the game said it all: "WHOSE CURSE IS WORSE?" Red Sox and Cubs fans can relate. Anyway, will FOX consider canceling the World Series coverage since it will be the Yankees vs. the Marlins?
Yeah, in 1973 all 3 postseason series went the distance (given, the LCS were a best of 5). My Mets should have beaten your Athletics that WS. Wow, Scott Williamson got 3 saves. He could have gotten 4 saves in this ALCS and maybe even the MVP. Cubs and RSOX in 2003 = five outs to the pennant. LOL, FOX and MLB are not too happy with this World Series matchup.
The Red Sox by a mile, since at least they have BEEN to the WS 4 times since 1918, and losing in 7 games each time. For the Cubs, 2003 was only their their 4th ever playoff trip since that said '45 season.
Everyone wanted Red Sox vs Cubs Cubs vs Yankees would have been a nice consolation prize Heck, Red Sox vs Marlins would have had “remember that 14 run 1st inning” and a potential drought end as storylines Alas we get neither
@@cdelano81 Not the same but somewhat of a WS/broadcast network similarity: In 1997, NBC's Don Ohlmeyer was rooting for a sweep because of Must See Thursday "We're looking for four and out. The faster it's over with, the better it is." Well we all know how that turned out
