ALDS: Backs to the wall

Being one game away from elimination in the Playoffs is nothing new for the Red Sox. Since 1999 the Red Sox are 11-2 when facing elimination. The Red Sox are also 3-2 in ALDS since the Wild Card was introduced in the 1995 season. (So take that WWE (not the wrestlers))

After loosing to the Indians in 1995 (3-0 as the AL East Champions) and 1998 (3-1 as the AL Wild Card) the Red Sox finally got some revenge in 1999. The Red Sox lost Game 1, 3-2, as Pedro Martinez injured his back and appeared to be out for the series. In Game 2, the Sox got blown out 11-1. Red Sox trail series 2-0.

In Game 3 the Red Sox returned home and put on a whooping of their own, winning 9-3, including a Mike Stanley HR (above right). In Game 4 (which UB attended with Griff), the Sox really opened it up, scoring a record setting 23 runs on 24 hits in the 23-7 destruction of the Tribe.

The series moved back to Cleveland for Game 5, where in a game that will long live in Red Sox lore, Pedro Martinez came in from the bullpen to pitch 6 no-hit innings. "Irish" Troy O'Leary, also known as "Yummy", hit a grand slam and a 3 run home run for 7 RBIs. Red Sox win series 3-2.

The Red Sox would lose the ALCS in 1999 to the Yankoffs 4 games to 1. The Sox would return to the playoffs in 2003, once again as the Wild Card. This time they were matched up with the AL West Champion Oakland A's. Again the Sox fell behind, losing Game 1, 5-4 in 12 after a suicide squeeze with Derrick Lowe on the mound. The Sox also lost Game 2, 5-1. Again they were one game away from being eliminated.

In Game 3, back at Fenway, Trot Nixon's 2 run home run in the 11th gave the Red Sox the win. They followed that up with a 5-4 win in Game 4, thanks to a 2 run double by David Ortiz in the 8th inning.

In Game 5, back in Oakland, a solo homer by Jason Varitek and a 3 run shot by Manny Ramirez in the 6th inning, gave the Red Sox just enough as they went on to win 4-3 in the 9th as Derrick Lowe shut the door in relief. Sox win the series 3-2.

With the Game 5 win the Red Sox moved on to face the Yankoffs in the ALCS. The two teams split the first two games in New York before moving to Fenway Park for Games 3-4-5. The Yankoffs took Games 3 and 5 to take a 3-2 lead back to Yankoff Stadium for game 6. The Red Sox were one loss away from elimination.

In Game 6 a seventh-inning throwing error by Hideki Matsui allowed Nomar Garciaparra to score, bringing the score to 6-5. David Ortiz then singled off the first-base bag to tie the game. Boston would soon take the lead after relief pitcher Felix Heredia walked in a run. A two-run home run by Trot Nixon in the eighth inning gave Red Sox closer Scott Williamson more than enough of a cushion to secure the game. The Sox would lose Game 7.

A year later the Red Sox would get their revenge. After trailing the Yankoffs 3 games to none in the 2004 ALCS...

In Game 4, trailing 4-3 in the 9th, the Sox rallied against Mariano Rivera. Kevin Millar walked, Dave Roberts got a pinch-run steal of 2nd base and Bill Mueller singled home the tying run off Rivera. In the 12th, David Ortiz homered against Paul Quantrill to end it in the game, giving Boston a do-or-die 6-4 victory.

In Game 5, still facing elimination, David Ortiz was the hero again. After helping to tie the game in the eighth inning, Ortiz lined a single to center to score Johnny Damon from 2nd in the 14th inning. With the 5-4 win the series shifted back to New York with the Sox trailing 3 games to 2.

In Game 6, Sox pitcher Curt Schilling pitched through the pain of a surgical repaired tendon on his right foot, giving up only 1 run on 4 hits. A Mark Bellhorn 3 run home run gave the Red Sox enough to escape with the 4-2 win.

The greatest comeback in baseball was history was complete after the Red Sox crushed the Yankoffs 10-3 to take the ALCS 4-3. Johnny Damon had a grand slam and a 2 run home run, for 6 RBIs.

So can the Red Sox come back to beat the White Sox after falling behind 2 games to 0. Yeah, I'd say they can...Go Sox!