#terryfrancona

                                   The recent trade of Kevin Youkilis means only one active member from the 2004 World Series championship remains with the team.

  In 2004 history was made when the Boston Red Sox became the first team to win a MLB postseason series after being down 3 games to none. Ironically, this series was against their rival, the New York Yankees, and it appeared to be another disappointing postseason for Boston fans. Despite the odds being against them, the Red Sox rallied to win 4 straight and advance to the World Series. If you want to witness the complete story watch either Fever Pitch (2005) starring Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon or ESPN 30 for 30’s Four Days in October starring Boston sports writer, Bill Simmons.

Most Boston Red Sox fans claim the 2004 championship series as a change in the team’s luck because of it ending an 86-year drought and leading up to another eventual World Series title in 2007. The fans are very supportive of the members of each of these teams, which is evident by the 4-minute standing ovation upon Nomar Garciaparra’s return to Fenway Park as a member of the Oakland Athletics on July 6, 2009 and the curtain call given to Kevin Youkilis on Sunday June 24, 2012. Fans had been expecting Youkilis to leave Boston with the large volume of trade rumors surrounding him during the preceding weeks. Some Boston fans even knew it was possible at the start of the 2012 season when Manager Bobby Valentine and Youkilis were not getting along after previous statements were made. The question was who was going to go first: the beloved player who helped bring 2 world series titles to Boston or the manager brought in to rid the clubhouse of chicken and beer?