Can the Yankees recover from a 3-0 hole in the World Series? Dave Roberts knows how hard it is

New York Yankees fans may be wondering how likely it is that their team can get out of the 0-3 hole it sits in this World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

They won't like the answer.

If you look at it as broadly as possible, the task is daunting. The Yankees need to win Game 4 tonight and Game 5 on Wednesday. Then they have to fly across the country back to Los Angeles and beat the Dodgers two more times at Dodger Stadium. There can be no more slips, no bad trips on the mound, and no more offensive cold streaks. There is no room for error – or for mistakes.

If you delve deeper into the story, it gets even worse.

If the Yankees actually manage to do all of that, playing perfect baseball for four games and beating the Dodgers in seven games, they will be the first team to ever do that in a World Series. That's right, no team has overcome a 3-0 deficit in the World Series.

So now you know what you're dealing with.

But what about that one? MLB Playoffs in general? It probably happens every now and then, right?

Unfortunately, Yankees fans, that really isn't the case. In fact, something like this has only happened once in MLB history, and if you're old enough, you might still have nightmares about it.

It happened once? Who did it?

The Boston Red Sox made it in the 2004 ALCS, and they did it against – you guessed it – the New York Yankees.

The Yankees continued to be a huge success this season, winning 101 games en route to the AL East crown. They had a frightening lineup with Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui, Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada. Sheffield, Rodriguez and Matsui combined to hit 103 home runs and drive in 335 runs this season.

And they flexed their muscles at the start of this series. When they won Game 3 19-8, it all seemed as good as over. Then the unthinkable happened and you won't believe who did it.

The 2004 Yankees were an offensive machine with players like (from left) Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Alex Rodriguez and Gary Sheffield. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Who sparked the Red Sox comeback?

There were many players who influenced Boston's comeback, most notably David Ortiz, who had walk-off hits in Game 4 (home run in the 12th inning) and Game 5 (single in the 14th inning), and then broke ground in Game 7 with a home run in the first inning.

But the man who started it all was a backup outfielder named Dave Roberts – the same Dave Roberts who now manages the Dodgers.

The Yankees defended a 4-3 lead in the ninth and had Mariano Rivera on the field as a star. Roberts entered the game as a pinch-runner for Kevin Millar, who led off with a walk. It was difficult to take bases against Rivera as Rivera delivered fast and smooth ball, but Roberts did it by inching his way upfield before the tag, putting himself in scoring position. He then stormed in on a Bill Mueller single, tying the score and setting the stage for Ortiz's home run in the 12th — and a comeback for the ages.

Knowing all this, it's impossible for the Yankees to win this series, right?

Obviously the story is against the Yankees. And if anyone knows the importance of closing the door when you have the chance, it's the Dodgers' manager.

But don't talk to Roberts about history or about 2004. He won't allow it.

“Don’t talk about it,” Roberts said after Game 3 when a reporter mentioned the Red Sox’s 2004 comeback. “The wrong guy. Way too soon.”

“From the other side, I don’t want to give away any secrets, but from the other side, I just think we need to stay focused and urgent,” Roberts said. “I think offensively, to be completely honest, we gave up a lot of runs tonight. Still, we found a way to win a ballgame.”

“It just has to be urgent. I just don’t want to let these guys come up for air.”

Will Roberts cite 2004 as a motivational tool for his Dodgers?

“No, I won’t. I won’t,” Roberts said. “I think they know the time 20 years ago very well and know what can happen. I mean, anything is possible. Our guys are very eager, very hungry for a championship, a parade. So nothing will stand in the way of that.” , Nothing.”

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