We believe !

While Buster Olney has reported for many such big series happening throughout this baseball season, it doesnt really get bigger than this. Its the Yanks and the RedSox, yet again for the American League Championship Series (ALCS). Its really not hard to see why this assumes so much significance at New York and Boston. For the next one week all eyes in the NorthEast not to mention most other parts of the US and even Japan will be glued to the TV sets and the newspapers. Will the RedSox stumble, again or will this year be any different ?

It has the makings of a surefire Hollywood epic. Great team with fantastic track record of success. Decides for various reasons to trade its best player to a rival team. The tables are turned. The traded player (to the few people who have heard of him, he is called Babe Ruth) then goes on to make history for his new team to such an extent that a new stadium, tailor made to his batting style was built in 1923. To this date, the RedSox have not won a World Series Championship since the trade in 1919. Some people refer to it as the 'Curse of the Bambino'. Others refer to it as just another trade which has since assumed cult status due to the press. It is said that the book "Curse of the Bambino" by Dan Shaughnessy triggered the idea that it was really a curse and something supernatural.

Whatever be the case, the RedSox have had something going against them when it comes to winning the World Series. They have come as close as an out to winning the game but it has never been the real thing. This year, the Sox believe they have their best team yet and if last weeks smothering of the Anaheim Angels is any indication, we could be in for a phenomenal series. The Yankees as always have been clinical with their wins, coming back from behind more times than anyone else in the league. Even with Johan Santana, arguably the best starter in the League this year at his best, the Minnesota Twins lost the ALDS to the Yankees courtesy A-Rod's resurgent streak and Derek Jeter's usual October histrionics. For the RedSox, both Manny and Ortiz have been red-hot pretty much all season long. They lead the league in a duo with most homers and RBIs and the count is only increasing. Last Friday, Ortiz put the final nail on the coffin for the favorites Angels with a 10th inning walkoff homer off Washburn. Manny drove in 2 RBIs in the same game and not to forget the two most important people for the RedSox; Johnny Damon, arguably the best leadoff hitter in the league this year and Curt Shilling, the best pitcher in the league who made it to the CS. With possibly their best team in years, the RedSox have their best chance yet at toppling the Yankees and making it to the World Series.

Will it finally happen this year or will the Yankees find yet another way to come back ?
Only time will tell. For now, here is to looking forward to the best week of baseball yet, in a year that has already produced some great matchups.

We believe !