Boone earns place in MLB history, Sox-Yanks rivalry

	Aaron Boone drove the first pitch he saw from Tim Wakefield in the bottom of the 11th over the left field wall. Al Tielemans
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By Jimmy Traina

Editor's note: We asked SI.com writers to share their memories from the best game they've ever seen. Here are their stories:

Whenever a game puts a new phrase into the sports lexicon (or earns someone a nickname, as in this case), you know it's probably an all-time classic.

That certainly was the case on Oct. 16, 2003, when the Yankees beat the Red Sox in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. It's the best game I've ever seen in person, and part of baseball history for four reasons:

1. The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is arguably the best in sports.

2. A trip to the World Series was on the line, and the drama built with each inning.

3. Grady Little made one of the most criticized non-moves in baseball history by not lifting Pedro Martinez after he threw 123 pitches in 7 1/3 innings.

4. Aaron Boone was given a new middle name, joining Bucky Dent and Bill Buckner who both held the same "bleeping" distinction.

But this game also has a special place in my heart because I almost missed it -- twice.

My friend Rich (last name being withheld, and you'll shortly see why) had an extra ticket for the game, which he decided to scalp. But when his willing buyer opened his wallet, instead of showing us $20s, he showed us his badge. Luckily, Rich had some connections, so the cop just took the ticket and let us go.

Later, when Boston tacked on a run to go up 4-0 in the fourth inning, I told Rich if the Red Sox scored one more run I was leaving. The thought of watching Boston celebrate at Yankee Stadium made me physically sick and I didn't want any part of it, (which is ironic when you look at what happened the following season.)

But back to good thoughts. The thing that makes the game special is the Yankees did so many small things to come back. All you ever hear about is Boone's homer and Little's managerial gaffe, but Mike Mussina kept New York alive with three scoreless innings in relief. Mariano Rivera also finished the game with three scoreless innings and wept on the mound after Boone's home run. Jorge Posada hit a clutch two-run double to center that tied the game in the eighth -- a ball that seemed to be the air for an hour before landing in the tiniest of areas where the center fielder, shortstop and second baseman could not catch it.

To this day I still have no idea how I would've felt if I would've missed being at this game.

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