Why the Red Sox can end the Curse

During the sixth inning of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees showdown this past Saturday, my phone rang. It was one of my best buddies Jake, who just happened to be at Fenway that day. Jake was bummed because he had to leave with his group at the end of the inning. I assured him that the Sox would blow their 4-0 lead they held at the time of the call, because they simply didn't have it this year.

After both Saturday's and Sunday's thrilling comeback victories over New York, realization started to set in -- maybe, just maybe, this could be the year the Sox vanquished the hated Yanks.

It wasn't just the final scores from this past series, because when a team takes two out of three games from a team of the caliber of the Yankees it's the little things that go into the wins that really show something. Little things like heart and passion, which the Red Sox showed in the series.

Was it when Pedro Martinez wanted a strike three call so badly late in his start that he openly questioned the strike zone in front of the whole world?

Or perhaps it was Jeremy Giambi's flat out hustle to pick up his first ever career stolen base, just beating Derek Jeter's tag and setting himself up in scoring position for the game winning hit?

Maybe it was the fabulous defensive plays by both Manny Ramierez and Johnny Damon, each saving a run with a terrific sliding catch?

Could this be the year the Red Sox finally do it because past Sox teams would have rolled over and died down three runs in the seventh inning vs. the hated Yankees?

Is the 2003 team different because they finally showed the patience and discipline to battle back and win games against tough opponents?

Is 2003 different because the Red Sox have finally found a whole team with the hunger needed to go out day in and day out and win?

Boston is right on the Yankees' heels because this team is different than the ones found in previous years. The team is on pace to set a new major league record for slugging percentage, shattering the mark of .489 set by the 1927 Yankees.

But, it will take more than a terrific offense to win in October. When October rolls around, teams need good pitching both from their rotations and their bullpens. GM Theo Epstein believes he has addressed his previously putrid bullpen with the additions of right-hander Todd Jones and southpaw Scott Sauerbeck.

Is 2003 the year the Red Sox end the 85 years of the Curse?

While no one knows what will happen between now and October, Red Sox fans know you just have to believe.