2001 - Red Sox lose 13 of 14, drop like a rock from first place and finish the season in disarray.
2002 - A new season - a new life, but the same old story. Manny Ramirez breaks a finger, goes down for six weeks, and takes the Sox hopes with him.
2003 Spring - Once more futilely into the fray, this time against a Yankee team with three potential hall of famers in its starting rotation; and the Sox have no bullpen.
2003 Summer - The Sox hold on and settle for the wild card berth in the American League playoffs.
2003 Fall - Red Sox Nation's heart is broken again in the eleventh inning of the seventh game of the ALCS.
2004 Preseason - The Patriots once again let New England taste a championship, but The Boss trumps Theo Epstein with the acquisition of A-Rod.
2004 Summer - The Red Sox trade Nomar to the Cubs, improve their defense, and ride a 15 game winning streak to the American League wild card.
2004 Fall - The Nation girds for another shot at the ring that lives in the Evil Empire.