Four days in October

One of the things I've always liked best about sports is that it is a place that teaches you about blind faith. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the assurance of what's hoped for, being certain of what is not seen." Of course, the reference there is to faith in God, which is of utmost importance. But I think it can also be an apt description of die-hard fans.

I was reminded of that, and of why we all love sports so much, when watching the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "Four Days in October" last night. It seemed fitting that, on the eve of the 2010 Major League Baseball playoffs that the ESPN documentary would chronicle one of the most amazing and improbable playoff runs in history — the performance of the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 American League Championship Series.

I remember watching in 2003, believing the Red Sox would finally get past the hated New York Yankees, when Aaron Boone slammed a homer in game seven and the Yankees advanced to the World Series.

One year later, I again thought Boston would have a shot to undue 86 years of negative history and make the world series. But after a 19-8 loss in game three put the Sox down 3-0 to the Yankees, it seemed nearly impossible.

But, as Chris Berman says, "That's why they play the games."

"Four Days in October" chronicles the final four games of that series, where the 2004 Red Sox made MLB history and in the process erased the franchise' one history of falling apart in the clutch. And they did it all by beating the hated rival Yankees in New York.

I remember watching those games. During game four, it was exciting to see the Red Sox come back to get a win at home, but thoughts of beating the Yankees still seemed far away. After another emotional win in game 5, there was hope. But it still seemed an impossible task.

The documentary captures the emotions of the game, the players, and the fans that could hardly believe what they were seeing. By the time the Red Sox stormed the field in celebration at the end of game seven, having come back from a 3-0 hole to be the first team to accomplish that feat, it seemed like the nation was witnessing a miracle on the diamond.

But what struck me most when watching the documentary was the footage of Red Sox first baseman Kevin Millar warming up prior to game four. He told anyone that would listen that if the Yankees didn't shut the Red Sox down in game four, it was over for them. It seemed like big talk at the time, but the fact was Millar believed it, and he wasn't alone.

Curt Schilling, who had one of the most memorable moments in pitching a fantastic game six, wore a shirt throughout the series that said "Why Not Us?" Though history, pundits, and fans viewed a comeback as impossible, the people in that locker room had faith. Their dedication to that belief helped fuel a comeback that carried the team all the way to a world series title.