Will History Repeat Itself?

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
--George Santayana

October 19, 2004: Red Sox are down 3-2 in the ALCS. They're coming off an improbable Game 5 win at Fenway. They are going into enemy territory needing two wins for the pennant. They are starting an obviously injured pitcher, and their fans are praying for a Game 7 finale.

October 18, 2008: Red Sox are down 3-2 in the ALCS. They're coming off an improbable Game 5 win at Fenway. They are going into enemy territory needing two wins for the pennant. They are starting an obviously injured pitcher, and their fans are praying for a Game 7 finale.

Only the pitchers (Curt Schilling in 2004, Josh Beckett in 2008) are different. We all know what happened on that magical night four years ago tomorrow.

The Red Sox have also never lost a Game 6 in their ALCS history. They are 4-0 lifetime, having defeated California in 1986 (and won Game 7), defeated New York in 2003 and 2004 (you know what happened in Game 7 in both years), and beat Cleveland in Game 6 last year (and took the AL title the next night).