The Boston Red Sox remain the only team in MLB history to come back from an 0-3 deficit. Four NHL teams have come back from that. In the NBA, the Boston Celtics are one win shy from being the first team in 151 series to pull it off. While the Celtics still need to win Game 7 in Boston tonight, there’s been some comparisons to the 2004 Red Sox.
They did it 19 years ago in the ALCS against the New York Yankees. Heading into Game 4 of that series, the Red Sox looked down and out, much like this year for the Boston Celtics. Boston made plenty of effort to stay alive, and by Game 7, momentum was entirely on their side. The Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals to end their 86-year championship drought.
2004 Red Sox Parallels
Game 3: The Blowouts
Poor pitching hurt the Red Sox in the series’ first three games. They got crushed after a 19-8 loss at Fenway Park. Meanwhile, the Celtics blew double-digit leads in Games 1 and 2. In Game 3, they embarrassed themselves, much like the Red Sox.
Game 4: The Turn Around
Mariano Rivera was on the mound with the Red Sox down 4-3, facing elimination in the bottom of the ninth inning. Kevin Millar opened the inning with a walk. Dave Roberts came in to run for him, stealing second base in the process. Bill Mueller hit an RBI single to tie it up and send it to extras. In the 12th inning, David Ortiz hit a two-run walk-off to force a Game 5.
However, the Miami Heat were up by nine in the second half. The Heat have Jimmy Butler, like the Yankees have Rivera. Celtics were facing elimination again until Jayson Tatum carried the team on his back for a 116-99 win.
Game 5: Momentum Shift
The momentum began to shift towards Boston after Game 4. They held onto that momentum even more after Game 5, when Big Papi was again the hero. He blooped an RBI single for another walk-off hit in the bottom of the 14th, sending the series back to Fenway Park.
Luckily for the Celtics, Game 5 wasn’t as dramatic as it was for the Red Sox. They took control of the game, taking down the Heat 110-97. Like the Red Sox 19 years ago, the Celtics were happy to have their season still alive for one more game.
Game 6: Crucial Moments
The “Bloody Sock” game happened the same night the umpire crew overturned two crucial calls that went in the Red Sox’s favor. The first was Mark Bellhorn, who hit a line drive down left field, hitting a fan in the seats. Initially ruled a double, the umpires discussed the call; it was a three-run homer, a critical hit in the win. Things got a little chaotic in the eighth when Alex Rodriguez hit the ball down the first base line that Bronson Arroyo fielded. When the right-hander tried to tag out A-Rod, the ball went down the right-field line. Derek Jeter scored from first as Rodriguez stood at second. Rodriguez was called out for interference for illegally slapping the ball out of Arroyo’s glove.
Down by a point in Game 6, the Celtics inbounded the ball with three seconds left. White went with the tap-in from his right hand with 0.2 seconds left. It didn’t look like he got shot in on time. But, after an instant replay review, the Celtics were rewarded the buzzer-beater, forcing a Game 7 in Boston.
Game 7, History in the Making?
The Red Sox played with confidence in their Game 7. Unlike the BoSox, who had to play that game at Yankee Stadium, the Celtics will be home in front of their fans. Johnny Damon picked the right time to peak in that game, hitting two home runs, including a grand slam. The Red Sox devoured the Yankees 10-3 to pull off history. Hopefully, their basketball friends will join them tonight.
Photo Credit: © Eileen Blass / USA TODAY NETWORK
Players mentioned:
Mariano Rivera, Kevin Millar, Dave Roberts, Bill Mueller, David Ortiz, Mark Bellhorn, Alex Rodriguez, Bronson Arroyo, Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon
