By Marc Thaler
Sports Editor

The date in Red Sox history was July 31, 2004.

Two days after the world champion New England Patriots opened training camp to defend their Super Bowl XXXVIII title, Sox General Manager Theo Epstein had a memorable press conference announcing the trade of Nomar Garciaparra.

At the time, the boys of summer appeared stuck at sea, attempting to stay afloat. The Red Sox were definitely closer to the horizon than a World Series win.

Fenway's Faithful were paying top dollar to witness a brand of baseball both uninspiring and sloppy. That's when Boston's young Hardball Houdini sat in front of the microphones and cameras, and provided the explanation for the squad's poor play.

More articles • This is it • Nitwit nation • Closing argument • Patriots 102 • Show me the funny! • Tito has veto power • Impact was (mid) major • Patriots 101 • First-ever 'Noddies' • Pigs are flying • Coming to my senses • Farewell to this King • Preseason pressure • New blood • Beautiful day • Game may spark a Super discussion • Boy, his actions make me wonder • First night • Spill on a slippery slope • Groundhog Day on Yawkey Way • Saving the best for last • This Boss born to coach USA • Pa, it appears, still knows best • Giving thanks, gridiron style • Still not convinced they're Super • A costly lesson in time management • Unchallenged and unimpressive • Final thoughts on the '05 season • Story could have horrific ending • Man behind the Mike • Less than Wild about this finish • That's all, Foulke • Several holes in these Sox • Making a generous Pey-ment

In Epstein's estimation, the team's despicable defense wasn't just a hole that needed to be filled.

It was, he said, a "fatal flaw."

Parting ways with No. 5 proved to be a bitter pill for many members of Red Sox Nation to swallow. But the strategy paid off.

I'll bet those folks who took issue with the trade didn't bellyache after the final outcome.

Fast forward to 2005. There's a new way of life in the Nation.

Nail-biting ninth innings are no longer. They're replaced by the belief David Ortiz will continue coming up clutch, further cementing his legacy as this generation's Carl Yastrzemski.

In this new era, there's no such thing as a September swoon when talking Sox.

Well, not so fast. One just needs to reference last October to realize anything is possible. There's plenty of cause for concern as the defending champs make their final push for the postseason.

Laugh now, but it's not exactly a lock these one-time hard-luck losers will earn the opportunity to win consecutive title No. 2.

In fact, there's more than one reason to wonder if the postchampionship chapter includes a berth in the '05 second season.

Even if the local nine advance to the American League's first round of playoffs, it's very possible this gang could be one-and-done.

Entering last October, the team Terry Francona took to Anaheim, Calif., made it much easier for members of the Nation to feel confident about their club's chances.

Along with a lineup that mashed opposing pitching, the Red Sox entered Major League Baseball's eight-team tourney with a solid 1-2 punch at the front of the rotation and a reliable closer to slam the door shut.

This time around, Boston is 1-for-3 in those critical categories. While the lineup remains potent, the pitching might force fans to reach for the Rolaids.

Aaah, yes. Just like old times. Let's be honest. The statistics Boston continues to produce at the plate are likely to dip, should the Sox play in October.

Why?

Pitching is paramount in the postseason. That's why.

It's unfair to expect Boston's batters to continue bruising the baseball against teams with solid starters and shut-down late-inning specialists.

More importantly, whether the defending champs have the hurlers to dominate in a similar manner has yet to be determined.

Despite a solid effort in New York on Sept. 10, Curt Schilling hasn't proven he's ready to take his place as staff ace. Take a look at the video tape from his start against Oakland on Sept. 15. He allowed three hits and two runs before fans at home had the chance to drop chips between the couch cushions.

In several scenarios this season, David Wells has dazzled. But in certain situations, he's also disappointed. While he threw a complete-game beauty against Baltimore on Sept. 4, he also hit a speed bump against Tampa Bay on Sept. 19, working less than three frames in an 8-7 loss.

After a fantastic first half, Matt Clement isn't much of a mystery to opposing offenses anymore. Those same A's that struck against Schilling torched Clement for seven runs in the first two innings on Sept. 18.

Then there's Keith Foulke's futility in late-inning frames, Johnny Damon's less-thanhealthy shoulder, Gabe Kapler's ruptured Achilles' tendon, and the seemingly endless errors committed by $40 million-dollar man, Edgar Renteria.

With potential land mines at every turn, if Francona can navigate this team to the playoffs and ultimately win another title, he'd prove himself a much better manager than I've ever been willing to admit.