2003 AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

The '2003 American League Championship Series' was played between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees from October 8 to October 16, 2003. The Yankees won the series 4 games to 3 to advance to the World Series.
'Managers:' Joe Torre (New York), Grady Little (Boston)
'Umpires:' Tim McClelland, Derryl Cousins, Joe West, Angel Hernandez, Terry Craft, Alfonso Marquez
'Series MVP:' Mariano Rivera, Yankees
'Television:' FOX (Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, and Bret Boone announcing)

Contents

Series Recap

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Aftermath

Yankees' dramatic rally in the 8th Inning of Game 7

Quotes of the Series

Notable Performers

Notes

Series Recap

This series delivered yet another blow to Red Sox fans' hopes of winning a World Series for the first time since 1918. The series seemed evenly matched, with the lead being held first by the Red Sox, then by the Yankees. The Sox forced the series to a full seven games, with the seventh game setting another major league record for the rivalry between the two teams: it marked the first time two major league teams have played more than 25 games against each other over the course of a single season. The Red Sox also set an ALCS record with 12 home runs in the series.
Backed by three home runs, Tim Wakefield shut the Bombers down in Game 1 and Andy Pettitte responded in Game 2.
Game 3 was highly anticipated, a classic matchup between Sox ace Pedro Martinez and former Sox pitcher Roger Clemens, who, on the cusp of retirement, was thought to be pitching his last game at Fenway Park. Early on, Karim Garcia was hit in the back by a Martinez fastball. Words were exchanged and Martinez threateningly gestured towards Yankee catcher Jorge Posada. When Garcia was forced out at second, he slid hard into Todd Walker. The following inning, Manny Ramirez took exception to a high Clemens pitch that was not particularly close to him and charged the mound. Both benches cleared, but the resulting brawl turned surreal when 72-year-old Yankee bench coach Don Zimmer ran toward Pedro Martinez and swung an arm at his head. Martinez then threw Zimmer to the ground. After the 13-minute delay, Clemens struck out Ramirez and proceeded to pitch effectively as the Yankees held a lead. The game would not end quietly: a Fenway groundskeeper got into a scuffle with Yankee reliever Jeff Nelson while tending to the bullpen area.
Game 4 was postponed from Sunday to Monday due to rain; Todd Walker hit his second home run of the series to pace the Sox in that game. The see-saw continued to teeter in Game 5 as David Wells and Mariano Rivera combined to shut Boston down. Back at Yankee Stadium, six Red Sox pitchers kept the team in the game as a 7th-inning comeback forced a Game 7.
In the Martinez-Clemens rematch of Game 3, the Sox took an early lead in game 7, jumping to a 4-0 lead and knocking Clemens out of the game in the fourth inning with two men on base and nobody out. Only three brilliant shutout innings by Mike Mussina (making the first relief appearance of his career) and two solo home runs by Jason Giambi kept the Yankees in the ballgame. But in the 8th inning, with the Red Sox leading 5-2, things unraveled for Boston. Sox manager Grady Little left a tiring Martinez in for the 8th, a controversial move which is still discussed today. Little had two relievers who has shown some effectiveness in the games leading up to the seventh game -- Scott Williamson and Mike Timlin (who had not allowed a single hit in the playoffs) -- in the bullpen. However, Little had never been given the lights-out closer so important to success in the post season, Boston actually trying something entitled "closer by committee" and both Williamson and Timlin had experienced stretches of ineffectiveness during the season, while Martinez had Hall of Fame credentials. Critics of the move note, however, that, Martinez had experienced diminished effectiveness in the late innings of games in which he had thrown more than 100 pitches. After the Cy Young Award winner Martinez assured his manager he still had something left, he gave up a double to Derek Jeter and a single to Bernie Williams, prompting Little to go out to the mound. To the surprise of many, Little left Martinez in the game, leaving inconsistent lefty Alan Embree in the bullpen with the left-handed Hideki Matsui coming to the plate. Martinez gave up a double to Matsui and a bloop double to Jorge Posada to tie the game, sending it to extra innings. Mariano Rivera came in for the ninth and pitched three shutout innings.
Tim Wakefield pitched a scoreless 10th for Boston and in the bottom of the 11th faced Aaron Boone, who had entered earlier as a pinch-runner. In one of the more dramatic scenes in baseball history, on the first pitch Boone launched a home run into the left field seats. Fox Sports displayed a vivid collection of images thereafter: tears welling up in the eyes of Aaron's brother, Seattle Mariners infielder Bret Boone (the guest announcer), ALCS MVP Mariano Rivera running to the mound and collapsing on it in joy, and Boone jumping on home plate and Rivera being carried off on his teammates' shoulders.

Game 1

October 8, Yankee Stadium

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
'Boston'	0	0	0	2	2	0	1	0	0	'5'	'13'	'0'
New York	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	'2'	'3'	'0'
'W': Tim Wakefield (1-0)  'L': Mike Mussina (0-1)  'S': Scott Williamson (1)
'HRs': BOS Manny Ramirez (1), Todd Walker (1), David Ortiz (1)

Game 2

October 9, Yankee Stadium

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Boston	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	'2'	'10'	'1'
'New York'	0	2	1	0	1	0	1	0	X	'6'	'8'	'0'
'W': Andy Pettitte (1-0)  'L': Derek Lowe (0-1)
'HRs': 'BOS' – Jason Varitek (1); 'NYY' – Nick Johnson (1)

Game 3

October 11, Fenway Park

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
'New York'	0	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	'4'	'7'	'0'
Boston	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	'3'	'6'	'0'
'W': Roger Clemens (1-0)  'L': Pedro Martinez (0-1)  'S': Mariano Rivera (1)
'HRs': 'NYY' – Derek Jeter (1)

Game 4

October 13, Fenway Park

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	'2'	'6'	'1'
'Boston'	0	0	0	1	1	0	1	0	X	'3'	'6'	'0'
'W': Tim Wakefield (2-0)  'L': Mike Mussina (0-2)  'S': Scott Williamson (2)
'HRs': 'NYY' – Ruben Sierra (1); 'BOS' – Todd Walker (2), Trot Nixon (1)

Game 5

October 14, Fenway Park

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
'New York'	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	'4'	'7'	'1'
Boston	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	'2'	'6'	'1'
'W': David Wells (2-0)  'L': Derek Lowe (0-2)  'S': Mariano Rivera (2)
'HRs': 'BOS' –, Manny Ramirez (1)

Game 6

October 15, Yankee Stadium

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
'Boston'	0	0	4	0	0	0	3	0	2	'9'	'16'	'1'
New York	1	0	0	4	1	0	0	0	0	'6'	'12'	'2'
'W': Alan Embree (1-0)  'L': Jose Contreras (0-1)  'S': Scott Williamson (3)
'HRs': BOS Jason Varitek (2), Trot Nixon (2); 'NYY' – Jason Giambi (1), Jorge Posada (1)

Game 7

October 16, Yankee Stadium

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	R	H	E
Boston	0	3	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	'5'	'11'	'0'
'New York'	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	3	0	0	1	'6'	'11'	'1'
'W': Mariano Rivera (1-0)  'L': Tim Wakefield (2-1)
'HRs': BOS Trot Nixon (3), Kevin Millar (1) David Ortiz (2); 'NYY' – Jason Giambi 2 (3), Aaron Boone (1)

Aftermath

The series is considered by many to be the worst loss in Boston sports history. The loss was crushing for Red Sox fans, many of whom blamed Little for leaving Martinez in the game and not going to his inconsistent bullpen, since Martinez had experienced difficulty pitching effectively beyond 100 pitches. Little defended his move by saying that he felt a tired Martinez was a better option than anyone else on the team. Defenders of Little also noted that the Red Sox offense collapsed in the game, as the club scored only 2 runs in the last 9 innings of the contest and also noted the poor defensive play of Johnny Damon in center field during the crucial inning. Little's contract was not renewed after the season (contrary to popular belief of him being 'fired') and replaced by Terry Francona. Little has since gone on to success managing the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Until the final game of the pennant race, some baseball fans had been hoping for a rematch of the 1918 World Series: a showdown between the Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, one of only two major league teams to have played for a longer period of time since winning the World Series (the other was the Chicago White Sox, who went on to win the Series in 2005). The Cubs reached the 2003 National League Championship Series against the Florida Marlins. As with the Red Sox, they had a 3-run lead and were only five outs away from reaching the World Series, although this was in Game 6, when the Marlins scored eight runs in that inning and won the game 8-3. The Marlins would win Game 7 9-6 to advance to the World Series, where they defeated the Yankees 4 games to 2.
In 2004, Mark Fainaru-Wada, Lance Williams, and San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writers provided another footnote to the 2003 ALCS. The Thursday December 2, 2004 edition of The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Yankee Jason Giambi testified before a federal grand jury on Dec. 11, 2003, less than two months after the 2003 ALCS. According to a transcript of the grand jury proceedings reviewed by The Chronicle, Giambi testified that he had injected himself with human growth hormone during the 2003 baseball season and had started using steroids at least two years earlier. In 2003, when he hit 41 home runs for the Yankees as well as two important home runs in Game 7 of the ALCS, he had used several different steroids obtained from Greg Anderson, weight trainer for San Francisco Giants star Barry Bonds. ^[1] In this and any similar cases that may come to light, fans will have to make the final judgement concerning what impact illegal performance-enhancing drugs had on the course of baseball history.

Yankees' dramatic rally in the 8th Inning of Game 7

''"Jeter flies it to right Nixon back on the run is over his head, Jeter will dig for second he will hold there with a double." ''Joe Buck'' (Fox Sports) calling Yankees' Derek Jeter's 1 out double to start the rally.
''"the 2-2, into centerfield Damon will play it on a hop, Jeter will come to the plate, it's a 2-run game"--''Joe Buck'' (Fox Sports) Yankees' centerfielder Bernie Williams RBI single.
''"Ripped into the right field corner fair, Bernie Williams will dig, it's a ground rule double, it's second and third as the Red Sox catch a break as that ball hops out of play, but the tying runs are on second and third with only one out here in the 8th"--''Joe Buck'' (Fox Sports) calling Yankees' rookie Hideki Matsui's double.
"''A flare into centerfield out is Walker won't get it, the base runner is Matsui he comes home, nobody covers second, tie game!"--''Joe Buck'' (Fox Sports) calling Yankees' catcher Jorge Posada's game tying 2 RBI double.

Quotes of the Series

"''Although the Boston Red Sox and the fans throughout New England would tell you they were five outs away in the 8th inning, leading by three...as BOONE HITS IT TO DEEP LEFT, THAT MIGHT SEND THE YANKEES TO THE WORLD SERIES! BOONE THE HERO OF GAME 7!!!"--''Joe Buck'' (FOX Sports) calling Yankees' Third basemen Aaron Boone's game pennant-winning home run in Game 7 off Tim Wakefield in the bottom of the 11th Inning.
"''you talk about looking for a reason!!"--''Joe Buck'' after Manny Rameriz charged Roger Clemens in Game 3 at Fenway Park.
''"I think we have upgraded from a battle to war"''--Boston Red Sox Manager Grady Little after Game 3.
"''Oh my gosh! Don Zimmer went after Pedro and Pedro threw him down!''"-Gary Thorne on MLB International calling the Brawl.
''"Nixon hammers one into deep right if its fair its gone, this one is into the upper deck, a two run home run, it's 9-6 Boston here in the 9th, so much for Trot Nixon's tough night, he delivers at a crucial time here in the 9th Inning to give the Red Sox a 3-run cushion "'' Joe Buck'' (Fox Sports) calling Boston Red Sox right fielder Trot Nixon's 2-run blast inside the right field foul pole at Yankee Stadium.
''"Williamson trying to nail it down...into right centerfield, we will see you tomorrow night, Game 7 of the ALCS, we know you'll join us, as Pedro Martinez takes on Roger Clemens, it's a final of 9-6, Game 6 belongs to the Boston Red Sox."--''Joe Buck'' (Fox Sports)calling Boston Red Sox's Closer Scott Williamson saving Game 6 to notch the win.
''"Ortiz gets one into right, this one is at the wall and gone, David Ortiz greets David Wells with a first pitch home run to right, it's 5-2 Boston."--''Joe Buck'' (Fox Sports) calling Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz's solo home run off Yankees' David Wells in the top of the 8th Inning of Game 7.

Notable Performers

★ Trot Nixon -- .333 average, 3 home runs, 5 RBI

★ David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek, Todd Walker -- two home runs each.

★ Jorge Posada -- .296 average, 4 doubles

★ Mariano Rivera -- 8 innings, 1.12 ERA, 2 saves (Series MVP)

★ Mike Timlin and Alan Embree (combined): 10 innings, 4 hits, 0 earned runs

★ Mike Mussina, Felix Heredia, Jeff Nelson, David Wells, Mariano Rivera: 8 innings, 1 run, 5 hits combined in Game 7.

★ Jason Giambi-- Before the 8th Inning rally in Game 7, Giambi had provided the Yankees only offense with two solo home runs off Pedro Martinez.

★ Aaron Boone-- Hit a 11th inning walk-off home run in Game 7.

Notes

1. San Francisco Chronicle, Giambi admitted taking steroids, Published on: Thursday, December 2, 2004