It has been over 20 years. This is a story from 2004. It is probably one of the most famous scenes in MLB history.

It is Game 4 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS). The bottom of the 9th inning is about to start. The Yankees are leading 4-3. They just need 3 more outs. It's the end of the four-game winning streak.

A hitman has already been hired. Mariano Rivera has been working since the 8th inning.

But the 9th inning is a bit different. It goes awry with the first batter. He allows a walk to Kevin Millar. Finally, the trouble begins. The Red Sox start to fight back.

"It seems like it will take over ten days. I really haven't had a chance to get in the game. That day was similar. I spent time in the dugout early on. After the 5th inning, I moved to the clubhouse. Still, I felt like I had to prepare for something."

This is what Dave Roberts, then 32, said.

"I was a bit anxious. I carefully reviewed the videos of the Yankees' bullpen pitchers. I stretched and moved back and forth in the dugout, keeping a close watch. When Kevin's count was already 3-1, I had put on my helmet."

Finally, the opportunity comes. It’s a walk.

"In that moment, I looked at Terry (Francona, the manager). Our eyes met. He winked at me. After all, what more needed to be said there? That was all the communication we needed."

Time is called. The "pinch runner" runs to first base.

"Mo (Mariano Rivera's nickname) threw three consecutive pickoff attempts. It was probably out of caution. But that helped a lot. Didn't I mention it was my first game in ten days? I felt a little relaxed after the first pickoff attempt. My legs started to come back on the second. And by the third, I felt like I had played all 8 innings. I was completely focused."

The first pitch goes to the batter (Bill Mueller). At the same time, the start begins.

"(Yankees) Jorge Posada's pop time was 1.7 seconds. He was the fastest throwing catcher. It was that dangerous at second base. It was a truly close call for being safe."

The second base umpire is the notorious Joe West. He spreads his arms to signal safe.

"I later complimented him. 'The umpire's position was truly artistic.' He replied, 'Right? I could see it properly. Thanks for telling me.'"

It became no outs with a runner on second base. Here, Mueller hit a single to center field.

"At that moment, I ran to third without looking back. The ball almost got caught by the pitcher. If that had happened, I would have been caught in between (second and third). Thankfully, the ball went through the infield. I safely returned home."

It became a tie at 4-4. The Red Sox came back to life. They secured Game 4 in extra innings. They then swept the next three games, from Game 5 to Game 7. After three consecutive losses, they achieved four consecutive wins. This was the so-called reverse sweep.

Eventually, the Red Sox advanced to the World Series. There, they defeated the "zombies" (St. Louis Cardinals). They broke the Curse of the Bambino. They achieved a championship after 86 years.

The start was very small and trivial. It was the successful steal of second base by pinch runner Dave Roberts. It was an event called "The Steal."

In fact, this too was a prepared event. It was a brilliant idea from 31-year-old Director General (G.M.) Theo Epstein. 'A useful pinch runner is needed in the postseason.' With that idea, he began the casting. Thanks to this, he could bring in Roberts from the Dodgers at the trade deadline.

At that time, there was someone who recommended Roberts to Epstein. An intern named Jack Scott. He later rose to vice president of the Red Sox. He then moved to the New York Mets and was appointed as acting Director General. However, he was dismissed in 2022 due to a drunk driving incident.

Anyway.

"The Steal" raised Roberts' stock considerably. After finishing his playing career, he continued to thrive. Eventually, he became the manager of the prestigious Dodgers and received the evaluation of being a "great manager." He seems to be the most successful individual in the history of pinch runners.

He is currently paying attention to a pinch runner. It is Kim Hye-sung. In particular, he did not hold back his praise for the running play yesterday (Korean time, the 5th).

"It was a difficult and brief moment to catch. But he accurately exploited the opponent's gap. He didn't score due to the subsequent batter's failure, but getting to third base was a wonderful play. It confirmed that he is a player with good talent."

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