October 17th, 2004. The Boston Red Sox are down three games to none in the ALCS against the Evil Empire, their dreaded rivals — the New York Yankees. Kevin Millar, who has already made his now-famous “Don’t
let us win tonight’ quote, leads off the bottom of the 8th with a walk. Terry Francona makes the decision to pinch run with Dave Roberts. Everyone knows what happens next.
It’s been covered from every angle, between the numerous streaming documentaries on Netflix, Hulu, and MyFace, to articles published by every media outlet under the sun — I guess including this one too.
The steal has touched as all. And as for me, it’s a major part of the reason I’m a Red Sox fan in general. Let’s rewind for a minute to October…2003. Yes, the ALCS the year BEFORE the steal. I was only six during Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. And when Aaron Boone walked-off Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox my parents noticed something: my older brother had fallen asleep before the end of the game.
Now, my family is is that kind of superstitious. So, one year later, like any good Sox fans willing to do anything to Reverse the Curse, what did my mother and father do for the 2004 ALCS? Not only did they keep my older brother up, but they kept all of us boys awake for every game, no excuses.
I got bit baseball bug while staying up late watching the 2004 playoffs, and I still have vivid memories of April 2005, sitting right in front of the TV, listening to Don and Jerry and watching the ring ceremony at the home opener. Maybe my staying awake did play a part in winning it all in 2004. Or maybe it was, you know, Dave Roberts.
Thanks Mom and Dad for at least turning me into the Red Sox diehard I am today.
Where were you when the steal happened?
