1986
I don't mean to be a killjoy, but as a born New Englander who remembers all too well watching the 1986 series on TV, I have sworn off any excitement over the success (or lack thereof) of the Boston Red Sox ever since. That's what I tell myself anyways. ;-)
You know Bill Buckner was so distraught after losing the series he threw himself in front of a bus? He didn't get hurt though, it went through his legs. (Sorry, that's a little bitter Red Sox fan humor).
There are many people from New England who live in other parts of the world for most of their adult life, yet still identify themselves as a New Englander. I've always thought that was odd. There are reasons why I call myself a Californian now and not a New Englander. That really cold, grey week right after all the leaves fall in Autumn, when all the tourists go home and you realize you have 5 more months of that miserable weather. That's definitely the number one reason I'm proud to call California home. The BoSox is the other one.
In other words, don't get your hopes up.
-Russ