Top 10 Games of the Decade: MLB-2003 ALCS Game 7

Our MLB Game of the Decade might have been the toughest choice of all the sports. What do you pick, a playoff series that happened in New York in the wake of 9/11, extra inning drama, World Series walkoffs, dramatic comebacks, pitcher's duels, or back and forth shootouts? There were so many games and series to choose from it was tough to pick just one. But, looking back at the 2000's, there was one singular game that stood out above the rest for its significance, controversy, and drama.

Who: Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees

What: ALCS Game 7

Where: Yankee Stadium

When: October 16, 2003

How It All Unfolded: Let's go back to a different time. It's 2003. The Yankee Dynasty, though suffering defeat in 2001, is still firmly entrenched at the top of baseball. Furthermore, the Curse of the Bambino has never felt stronger. However, The Red Sox were getting closer and closer to finally breaking the hex. They had won 93 games in 2002 and made the playoffs in 2003 for the first time since the 1999 ALCS loss to the Yankees. Red Sox mainstays like Damon and Garciaparra were bolstered by the arrival of free agent signing David Ortiz, who added some pop to the middle of the lineup. The Yankees were in transition with new signings like Matsui and Giambi joining dynasty members like Williams, Jeter, and Posada.

The ALCS was set up for a classic. Could the Sox finally do it? Would the Yankee Dynasty reboot? These two teams didn't disappoint as the rivalry was taken up a couple notches in Game 3 after splitting the first two in New York. You may remember this...

As tensions rose, the teams traded wins. An epic Game 7 was set for Yankee Stadium. The two Game 3 protagonists, and future hall of famers, Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez started. But, it was Clemens that was knocked out early by 4 quick Boston runs in three innings. The Sox led the Yanks 5-2 going into the bottom of the 8th. A nation held its breath, this was the time that the Curse would finally be broken. (Except we had just watch the Cubs blow a 3-2 NLCS lead thanks to Steve Bartman and a Game 7 loss the previous 2 days). But, this was a new age for the Red Sox, the same fate wouldn't befall them... right?

With 1 out, Jeter doubled and Williams brought him in. 5-3. A Matsui double to put the tying run in scoring position brought out Grady Little to get his ace and go to the bullpen. Wait a second, he left Pedro in??? To the surprise of the universe, Little let Pedro finish the job instead of going to a talented and rested bullpen. The next batter, Jorge Posada, doubled to tie the game at 5. It was controversial, it was puzzling, it was dramatic, it was thrilling.

The Sox bullpen got out of the jam and the game went to extras. That's where a hero was needed. And, in the Bottom of the 11th inning, that hero was Aaron Boone. Cue the clip!

Why We'll Remember It: We'll remember Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS as the end of an era. After this game, the Sox and Yanks would trade places for the next 5 years. It was the last time the Red Sox would have to end a season hearing about the Curse of the Bambino. Grady Little was canned for leaving Pedro in too long, and Terry Francona was brought in. Curt Schilling was also acquired to vanquish the Yankees like he did for Arizona. Although the 2004 ALCS looked like another Yankeeography in the making, the Sox did the impossible and came back from 3-0 down to win the series and the title. Boston won another this decade and have exercised the demons of the past. This game can be seen as the end of the Curse years, or the beginning of a golden era for Boston.

For the Yankees, they again went on to lose the World Series to the upstart Diamondbacks. Their 2nd WS defeat in 3 years. After players like O'Neill, Tino, and others left, George threw money at the team to keep the titles coming. But, there was lacking that special quality that was the true reason the Yankees won those titles. Aaron Boone brought the magic on that October night, but the Yankees would span almost the entire decade before winning again in 2009. Much like Boston, this game was a turning point. The Yankees would have to find themselves over the course of the next several years.

The 2004 ALCS was more significant, the 2001 World Series more dramatic, but for a single October night, this game had everything. The best rivalry in baseball, the looming curse, a dramatic comeback, and an unlikely hero hitting a walkoff home run in Yankee Stadium to send the Bronx Bombers to the World Series. It's easy to get nostalgic about this game, because so many factors have changed in baseball since then. It was 2 months before we knew what the clear and the cream were. Papi and Manny weren't on roids, Clemens was merely crazy and not a cheat, the Red Sox were still lovable losers instead of just another evil empire, and baseball was just baseball, without the Senate hearings, Mitchell Reports, confessions, denials, asterisks, and what ifs. Those were the days...

Other Games Considered

-2004 ALCS Game 5 - Boston 5 New York 4 F/14

-2001 World Series Games 4, 5, and 7

-2003 NLCS Game 6 - Bartman

-2007 NL Play-In Game - Rockies 9 Padres 8 F/13

Only one more game in the countdown and it'll be college football! Dont' forget to check out our NCAA basketball broadcast of D3 hoops tonight at 7:30 at stream.owu.edu. Ohio Wesleyan hosts #25 Wooster in what should be a good one. Yes, we're not only moonlight bloggers, but moonlight small college announcers too, bye for now!