The
2004 American League Championship Series was
Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of play in North American professional baseball. Specifically, Major League Baseball refers to the organization that operates the National League and the American League, by means of a joint organizational structure that has developed gradually between...
(MLB) playoff series to decide the champion of the
American LeagueThe American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, that eventually aspired to major league...
(AL) for the
2004 seasonThe 2004 MLB season was the 101st season of Major League Baseball. The season ended when the Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in a four-game sweep...
. It was played between the
Boston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since , the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. The "Red Sox" name originates from the iconic uniform feature....
and
New York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division...
. The Red Sox won the series four games to three, having been down three games to none in the best-of-seven series. It was played at
Fenway ParkFenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use...
and Yankee Stadium, between October 12 and October 20, 2004.
The Red Sox earned their place in the playoffs by winning the American League wild card. The Yankees made it by winning the
American League EastThe American League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . Four of its five teams are located in the Eastern United States and one in Eastern Canada...
with the best record in the American League. In the
American League Division SeriesThe American League Division Series , the opening round of the 2004 American League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 5, and ended on Saturday, October 9, with the champions of the three AL divisions – along with a "wild card" team – participating in two best-of-five series. They...
, the Red Sox defeated the
Anaheim AngelsThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The Angels have been based in Angel Stadium of Anaheim since 1966...
, while the Yankees defeated the
Minnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. They have played in the Hubert H...
.
In Game 1, Yankees pitcher
Mike MussinaMichael Cole Mussina , nicknamed Moose, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees ....
pitched a
perfect gameA perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
through six innings, while the Red Sox recovered from an eight run deficit to close within one run before the Yankees eventually won. A
home runIn baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to circle all the bases, ending at home plate and scoring runs for himself and each runner who was already on base, with no errors by the defensive team on the play...
by
John OlerudJohn Garrett Olerud , is a former American first baseman in Major League Baseball...
helped the Yankees win Game 2. The Yankees gathered 22
hitsIn baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in Game 3 on their way to an easy win. The Yankees led Game 4 by one run in the ninth inning of Game 4, however a steal of second base by Red Sox base runner Dave Roberts and a
singleIn baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
by
Bill MuellerWilliam Richard Mueller is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. Mueller's playing career was spent with the San Francisco Giants , Chicago Cubs , Boston Red Sox , and Los Angeles Dodgers . He won the American League batting title in 2003, and helped the Red Sox win the 2004 World Series...
off Yankees closer
Mariano RiveraMariano Rivera is a Panamanian professional baseball player who has spent his entire Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", the right-handed Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career...
tied the game. A home run by
David OrtizDavid Ortiz is a Dominican Major League Baseball designated hitter who has played for the Boston Red Sox since . Previously, Ortiz played for the Minnesota Twins . Nicknamed "Big Papi," Ortiz is a five-time All-Star and holds the Red Sox single-season record for home runs with 54, set during the ...
then won it for the Red Sox in extra innings. Ortiz also won Game 5 with a single in the 14th inning.
Curt SchillingCurtis Montague Schilling is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in and has won World Series championships in with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in and with the Boston Red Sox...
pitched seven innings in Game 6 for the Red Sox, during which time his sock became soaked in blood. The Red Sox won Game 6 and then Game 7 to become the first team in MLB history to win a series after being down three games to none. David Ortiz was named the series Most Valuable Player.
Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees
Boston wins the series, 4-3
| Game |
Score |
Date |
Location |
Attendance |
| 1 |
Boston Red Sox - 7, New York Yankees - 10 |
October 12 |
Yankee Stadium |
56,135 |
| 2 |
Boston Red Sox - 1, New York Yankees - 3 |
October 13 |
Yankee Stadium |
56,136 |
| 3 |
New York Yankees - 19, Boston Red Sox - 8 |
October 16 |
Fenway ParkFenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use...
|
35,126 |
| 4 |
New York Yankees - 4, Boston Red Sox - 6 (12 innings) |
October 17 |
Fenway ParkFenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use...
|
34,826 |
| 5 |
New York Yankees - 4, Boston Red Sox - 5 (14 innings) |
October 18 |
Fenway ParkFenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use...
|
35,120 |
| 6 |
Boston Red Sox - 4, New York Yankees - 2 |
October 19 |
Yankee Stadium |
56,128 |
| 7 |
Boston Red Sox - 10, New York Yankees - 3 |
October 20 |
Yankee Stadium |
56,129 |
Game 1
Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York
Game 1 pitted the Red Sox's star pitcher
Curt SchillingCurtis Montague Schilling is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in and has won World Series championships in with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in and with the Boston Red Sox...
against Yankees ace
Mike MussinaMichael Cole Mussina , nicknamed Moose, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees ....
. Schilling entered the game with a 6-1 postseason career record, but the expected pitchers' duel quickly became a one-sided exhibition. Unbeknownst at the start of the game, Schilling had sustained a torn tendon sheath in his right ankle during his start in the
American League Division SeriesThe American League Division Series , the opening round of the 2004 American League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 5, and ended on Saturday, October 9, with the champions of the three AL divisions – along with a "wild card" team – participating in two best-of-five series. They...
against the Angels, and proved to be ineffective. Mussina, meanwhile, retired the first 19 Red Sox batters. After scoring six runs off Schilling, the Yankees added two more off Boston knuckleballer
Tim WakefieldTimothy Stephen Wakefield is a right-handed knuckleball pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played with the Boston Red Sox since 1995, making him the longest-serving member of the team....
in the sixth. A
Hideki Matsuiis a designated hitter for the New York Yankees. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.-Early life:Hideki Matsui was born in Neagari, Ishikawa, Japan . He started playing baseball when he was in elementary school. According to an interview on YES Network's "CenterStage", Matsui originally...
single made the score 8-0 and gave him an ALCS record-tying five RBIs in the game.
The Red Sox ended Mussina's bid for a
perfect gameA perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
with a rally of five runs in the seventh and added two more in the eighth, closing the gap to 8-7. With two outs and the tying run on third base, however, the Yankees called upon closer
Mariano RiveraMariano Rivera is a Panamanian professional baseball player who has spent his entire Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", the right-handed Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career...
, who induced a pop out by
Kevin MillarKevin Charles Millar is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays. Millar played college baseball at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he continues to reside in the off-season...
. The Yankees scored two more runs in the bottom of the eighth on a double by
Bernie WilliamsBernabé Figueroa Williams is a Puerto Rican musician and former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life and career:...
. The Sox hit two singles in the top of the ninth inning, but the game ended when
Bill MuellerWilliam Richard Mueller is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. Mueller's playing career was spent with the San Francisco Giants , Chicago Cubs , Boston Red Sox , and Los Angeles Dodgers . He won the American League batting title in 2003, and helped the Red Sox win the 2004 World Series...
grounded into a double play.
Game 2
Wednesday, October 13, 2004 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York
Game 2 featured
Pedro MartínezPedro Jaime Martínez is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is a three time Cy Young Award winner. At the time of his 200th win in April , Martínez had the highest winning percentage of any 200-game winner in modern baseball history...
of the Red Sox facing Yankees pitcher
Jon LieberJonathan Ray Lieber is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs , New York Yankees , and Philadelphia Phillies . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
. Again, the Yankees struck first, as
Gary SheffieldGary Antonian Sheffield is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the New York Mets. He has played for eight major league ball clubs, primarily as an outfielder and designated hitter.-Biography:...
drove in
Derek JeterDerek Sanderson Jeter is an American professional baseball player. He is a Major League Baseball shortstop who has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He has served as the Yankees' team captain since 2003...
in the first inning. The 1-0 score held up for several innings, as Lieber and Martinez put together a classic pitchers' duel.
Martinez got himself in and out of trouble through several innings, but, shortly after making his 100th pitch of the night, walked
Jorge PosadaJorge Rafael Posada Villeta is a Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the New York Yankees. He is a switch hitter, and has been on five All-Star teams over his 15-year career....
and allowed a
John OlerudJohn Garrett Olerud , is a former American first baseman in Major League Baseball...
home run, giving New York a 3-0 lead.
Again, the Red Sox rallied, chasing Lieber with two hits in the eighth to close the gap, 3-1. With two outs and a runner on third, however, the Yankees again turned to Rivera, who struck out
Johnny DamonJohnny David Damon is a Major League Baseball outfielder and plays for the New York Yankees. Since the season, through 2008, he was 3rd among active major leaguers in runs , and 7th in hits and stolen bases...
to end the inning. Rivera shut down the Red Sox in the ninth by inducing a ground out by
Mark BellhornMark Christian Bellhorn is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Colorado Rockies organization. He has played in the majors for the Oakland Athletics , Chicago Cubs , Colorado Rockies , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres , and Cincinnati Reds...
, and, after giving up a double to
Manny RamírezManuel "Manny" Aristides Ramírez Onelcida is a Dominican-American Major League Baseball left fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers. A nine-time Silver Slugger, and one of 25 people to have hit over 500 career home runs, he is well recognized for his strong offensive abilities...
, striking out
David OrtizDavid Ortiz is a Dominican Major League Baseball designated hitter who has played for the Boston Red Sox since . Previously, Ortiz played for the Minnesota Twins . Nicknamed "Big Papi," Ortiz is a five-time All-Star and holds the Red Sox single-season record for home runs with 54, set during the ...
and Millar, ending the game.
Game 3
Saturday, October 16, 2004 at
Fenway ParkFenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use...
in Boston, Massachusetts
With the series moving to
Fenway ParkFenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use...
, Game 3 was originally scheduled for October 15, but was postponed a day due to rain. The starting pitchers were Kevin Brown for the Yankees and
Bronson ArroyoBronson Anthony Arroyo , is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds and a rock musician. He has previously played for the Boston Red Sox from 2003 to 2005, and the Pittsburgh Pirates between 2000 and 2002...
for the Red Sox.
As in the first two games, the Yankees began by scoring in the first. Derek Jeter walked and scored from first on a double by Alex Rodríguez. Two batters later, Hideki Matsui hit a home run to right field, giving the Yankees a 3-0 lead. The Red Sox answered in the second inning with a leadoff walk by
Jason VaritekJason Andrew Varitek is an American baseball catcher and team captain for the Boston Red Sox. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Red Sox...
and a
Trot NixonChristopher Trotman "Trot" Nixon is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He is best known as a member of the Boston Red Sox from to . He was drafted by the Sox in the 1st round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft, and was the seventh pick overall...
home run to right field. A double by Bill Mueller, an infield hit by Johnny Damon (his first hit of the series), and a Derek Jeter error led to two more runs. The Red Sox led for the first time in the series, 4-3.
This lead was short-lived, as Alex Rodríguez led off the third inning with a home run over the
Green MonsterThe Green Monster is the nickname of the thirty-seven foot, two-inch high left field wall at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox baseball team...
. Gary Sheffield then walked and Hideki Matsui doubled, prompting Bronson Arroyo to be replaced on the mound by
Ramiro MendozaRamiro Mendoza is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a pitches for The Newark Bears of the Atlantic League. Mendoza played with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox . He bats and throws right-handed. Although Mendoza made 62 starts in his major league career, he was...
, who immediately allowed a Bernie Williams RBI single and then
balkIn baseball, a pitcher may commit a number of illegal motions or actions which constitute a balk. A balk ordinarily results in an immediate dead ball and nullification of any pitch, and each runner is awarded one base. The batter generally returns to bat with the previous count. There are cases...
ed, allowing Matsui to score from third, letting the Yankees lead 6–4. The Red Sox, however, responded by tying the game in the bottom of the inning, scoring two runs on an
Orlando CabreraOrlando Cabrera, nicknamed O-Cab and The OC, is a Major League Baseball shortstop who currently plays shortstop for the Minnesota Twins. He bats and throws right-handed....
double off Yankees reliever
Javier VazquezJavier Carlos Vázquez is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. Previously, he pitched for the Chicago White Sox , Arizona Diamondbacks , New York Yankees and Montreal Expos ....
. After three innings, the game was tied at six.
In the fourth inning, the Yankees took the lead on a three-run home run to left by Gary Sheffield. After another double by Hideki Matsui, the Red Sox put in pitcher
Tim WakefieldTimothy Stephen Wakefield is a right-handed knuckleball pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played with the Boston Red Sox since 1995, making him the longest-serving member of the team....
, who volunteered to forgo his scheduled Game 4 start in order to preserve Boston's battered bullpen. Wakefield got Bernie Williams to pop out and then intentionally walked Jorge Posada.
Rubén SierraRubén Angel Sierra García is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Sierra also goes by the nicknames El Caballo and El Indio....
then tripled to score Matsui and Posada, giving the Yankees an 11–6 lead.
From that point on the Yankees were in control, setting a team record for postseason runs scored. The two teams combined for 37 hits and 20 extra-base hits, both postseason records. At four hours and twenty minutes, the game was the longest nine-inning postseason game ever played. Hideki Matsui had five hits and five RBIs, tying LCS records. Along with Alex Rodríguez, he tied the postseason record for runs scored with five.
Game 4
Sunday, October 17, 2004 at
Fenway ParkFenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use...
in Boston, Massachusetts
Game 4 featured Yankees pitcher
Orlando HernándezOrlando Hernández Pedroso , nicknamed El Duque, is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who is currently a free agent well known for his extremely high leg kick. His greatest success came as a New York Yankees starter during that team's run of World Series championships in 1998,...
, the
19991999 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Lasse Kjus, Norway** Women's overall season champion: Alexandra Meissnitzer, Austria-American football:...
ALCS MVP and Boston's
Derek LoweDerek Christopher Lowe is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves. He throws and bats right-handed.-Early years:...
. For the first time in the series, the Yankees did not score in the first inning. The Yankees, however, did score first when
Alex RodríguezAlexander Emmanuel Rodriguez is a Dominican and American professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Alex" or "A-Rod," he currently plays third base for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. He previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered...
hit a two-run home run over the
Green MonsterThe Green Monster is the nickname of the thirty-seven foot, two-inch high left field wall at Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox baseball team...
in the third. This hit resembled a home run he hit in Game 3, as it also came in the third inning and went out of the park onto Lansdowne Street. This would be followed by the ball being thrown back into the outfield by fans on the Street,
Johnny DamonJohnny David Damon is a Major League Baseball outfielder and plays for the New York Yankees. Since the season, through 2008, he was 3rd among active major leaguers in runs , and 7th in hits and stolen bases...
tossing the ball back over the fence, and the ball once again being tossed back before being pocketed by Umpire Joe West.
Hernández, who had not pitched in two weeks, struggled through the first four innings but did not allow any runs. In the fifth inning, he pitched himself into a jam, walking two of the first three batters. With two men on and two out,
Orlando CabreraOrlando Cabrera, nicknamed O-Cab and The OC, is a Major League Baseball shortstop who currently plays shortstop for the Minnesota Twins. He bats and throws right-handed....
singled to right field, scoring one run.
Manny RamírezManuel "Manny" Aristides Ramírez Onelcida is a Dominican-American Major League Baseball left fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers. A nine-time Silver Slugger, and one of 25 people to have hit over 500 career home runs, he is well recognized for his strong offensive abilities...
walked to load the bases, and then
David OrtizDavid Ortiz is a Dominican Major League Baseball designated hitter who has played for the Boston Red Sox since . Previously, Ortiz played for the Minnesota Twins . Nicknamed "Big Papi," Ortiz is a five-time All-Star and holds the Red Sox single-season record for home runs with 54, set during the ...
hit a single to center field, scoring two and giving the Red Sox a 3-2 lead, only their second lead of the series.
The lead lasted less than an inning.
Hideki Matsuiis a designated hitter for the New York Yankees. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.-Early life:Hideki Matsui was born in Neagari, Ishikawa, Japan . He started playing baseball when he was in elementary school. According to an interview on YES Network's "CenterStage", Matsui originally...
hit a triple in the sixth, after which
Mike TimlinMichael August Timlin is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a Free Agent.-Early life:Timlin graduated from Midland High School in Midland, Texas...
relieved Lowe.
Bernie WilliamsBernabé Figueroa Williams is a Puerto Rican musician and former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life and career:...
hit an infield single to score Matsui and tie the game. The Yankees added a second run on a tough, bouncing ground ball hit by
Tony ClarkAnthony Christopher Clark, known as Tony , is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current MLB Network studio analyst....
, starting in place of the injured John Olerud, to take a 4-3 lead.
Massachusetts native
Tanyon SturtzeTanyon James Sturtze is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher, who is currently a free agent.He attended Quinsigamond Community College and was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft. In , he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the minor league portion of the...
pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Hernández.
Mariano RiveraMariano Rivera is a Panamanian professional baseball player who has spent his entire Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", the right-handed Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career...
, the Yankees star closer, entered the game in the eighth for a two inning save attempt. In the ninth inning, Rivera allowed a lead-off walk to
Kevin MillarKevin Charles Millar is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays. Millar played college baseball at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he continues to reside in the off-season...
, which would prove to be the turning point of the series. Dave Roberts was then chosen to pinch-run for Millar. With the Red Sox down to their final three outs, Rivera checked Roberts at first base several times before throwing a pitch to
Bill MuellerWilliam Richard Mueller is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. Mueller's playing career was spent with the San Francisco Giants , Chicago Cubs , Boston Red Sox , and Los Angeles Dodgers . He won the American League batting title in 2003, and helped the Red Sox win the 2004 World Series...
.
According to Roberts, "The first [time Rivera checked me at first base], I felt I got the jitters and then it kind of dissipated a little bit. The second time the jitters were all gone and I was really into it. After the third pick over was a close play, I think the second one was really close also, and then I felt like I had been there from the first inning on."
Roberts added, "At that point I knew, regardless of a slidestep or whatever, once he goes home, I'm going to run on the pitch. If he would have went to the plate the first pitch, I wouldn't have went. Running down that tunnel in October, it's hard to get loose. But that [series of pickoff attempts] kind of helped me out a little bit."
On Rivera's first pitch to Bill Mueller, the speedy Roberts
stoleIn baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate. In baseball statistics, stolen bases are denoted by SB...
second, putting himself in scoring position. Mueller's single allowed Roberts to score, resulting in Rivera blowing the save and the game going into extra innings, tied 4-4.
Both teams threatened for more runs in the 11th inning, but the game remained tied until the bottom of the 12th. Ramírez led off with a single against new pitcher
Paul QuantrillPaul John Quantrill is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He earned a reputation for being very durable and having impeccable control. He regularly appeared in 80 or more games a season and did not walk more than 25 batters in a season since...
, and Ortiz hit a two-run
walk-off home runIn baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
to right field. Ortiz became the first player with two walk-off homers in the same postseason; his first capped a Red Sox sweep of the
Anaheim AngelsThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The Angels have been based in Angel Stadium of Anaheim since 1966...
in the
American League Division SeriesIn Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series...
.
Game 5
Monday, October 18, 2004 at
Fenway ParkFenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use...
in Boston, Massachusetts
Game 5 began at 5:11 p.m. EST on the evening of Monday, October 18, just 16 hours after Game 4 had ended the previous night. Mike Mussina led the Yankees against Boston's Pedro Martínez. The Red Sox drew first blood this time, as David Ortiz drove in a run and Jason Varitek walked with the bases loaded in the first inning to give Boston a 2-0 lead. Bernie Williams homered in the second inning to close the gap to 2-1, a score which would hold up for several innings.
Despite seven strikeouts by Martínez, in the top of the sixth inning, Jorge Posada and Rubén Sierra singled with one out. After Miguel Cairo was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Derek Jeter cleared the bases with a double, giving the Yankees a 4-2 lead. The Red Sox threatened again in the seventh inning, but came up empty. For the second straight night, however, the Yankee bullpen couldn't keep the lead. Ortiz led off the eighth inning with a home run off former Red Sox reliever Tom Gordon, making it a one run game. Kevin Millar followed with a walk and was again replaced by pinch runner Dave Roberts, who went to third on Trot Nixon's single. Gordon was replaced by Mariano Rivera with the lead still intact, but Jason Varitek's sacrifice fly tied the game, Rivera's second consecutive blown save in the ALCS. The Yankees threatened in the top of the ninth when Tony Clark hit a ball to deep right with two outs, but the ball took a hop over the short right-field wall for a ground-rule double, forcing Rubén Sierra to stop at third base, where he was stranded to set up another extra-inning marathon.
Each team got its share of base runners in extra innings. Boston's
Doug MientkiewiczDouglas Andrew Mientkiewicz Douglas Andrew Mientkiewicz Douglas Andrew Mientkiewicz ( (born June 19, 1974 in Toledo, Ohio) is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Mientkiewicz is notorious for his superb fielding ability and control with the bat...
doubled in the 10th and moved to third, but did not score. Two Red Sox led off the 11th with singles, but
Esteban LoaizaEsteban Antonio Loaiza Veyna [lo-EYE-sa] is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He most recently played for the Chicago White Sox.-Early career:...
, who had struggled since being acquired by the Yankees mid-season, came in to pitch with one out and got Orlando Cabrera to ground into a double play. Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield came on in relief once again for the Red Sox in the 12th. He allowed to Miguel Cairo, who went to second on a Manny Ramírez error, but Cairo was eventually stranded. In the top of the 13th, Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, who does not normally catch for Wakefield and who admits to be poor at catching knuckleballs, allowed three
passed ballIn baseball, a catcher is charged with a passed ball when he fails to hold or control a legally pitched ball that, with ordinary effort, should have been maintained under his control. When, as a result of this loss of control, the batter or the runner on base advance, the catcher is thereby charged...
s, but the Yankees stranded runners on second and third. Loaiza pitched well, but, in the bottom of the 14th, Damon and Ramírez walked, bringing up Ortiz with two outs. The previous night's hero did his job again, singling to center on the 10th pitch of the at-bat to bring home Damon and setting off another celebration at Fenway. Ortiz's heroics prompted Fox TV announcer
Tim McCarverJames Timothy McCarver is an American former Major League baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster for Fox Sports.-Playing career:...
to gush shortly afterwards, saying, "He didn't do it again, did he? Yes he did." The late inning heroics of Ortiz also gave the Red Sox fans a chance to create their own chant, "Who's your Papi?" (Ortiz being known affectionately as "Big Papi"), in rebuttal to the "Who's your daddy?" chant used by Yankees fans in reference to a quote by Pedro Martínez.
The game set the record for longest duration of a postseason game at 5 hours, 49 minutes, a record which was later broken by Game 4 of the
2005 National League Division SeriesThe National League Division Series , the opening round of the 2005 National League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 4, and ended on Sunday, October 9, with the champions of the three NL divisions – along with a "wild card" team – participating in two best-of-five series. They...
between the
Houston AstrosThe Houston Astros is a major league baseball team located in Houston, Texas. The Astros are a member of the Central Division. From 2000 to the present, the Astros have played their home games at Minute Maid Park . The Astros joined MLB under the name Colt .45s along with the New York Mets in...
and
Atlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From to the present, the Braves have played in Turner Field....
, which was one minute longer.
This victory by the Red Sox forced a Game 6. Before this, the
Atlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From to the present, the Braves have played in Turner Field....
and
New York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. The Mets are a member of the East Division of Major League Baseball's National League....
were the only baseball teams ever to be down 0-3 in a seven game series and force a Game 6, but neither of those teams won that game.
Game 6
Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York
Game 6 was held on Tuesday, October 19 at Yankee Stadium. The starting pitchers were
Curt SchillingCurtis Montague Schilling is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in and has won World Series championships in with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in and with the Boston Red Sox...
of the Red Sox and
Jon LieberJonathan Ray Lieber is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Chicago Cubs , New York Yankees , and Philadelphia Phillies . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
of the Yankees. Schilling pitched with a torn tendon sheath in his right ankle, which was sutured in place in an unprecedented procedure by Red Sox team doctors. The teams played the first few innings scoreless, but in the fourth inning, Boston struck first with a two-out single by
Jason VaritekJason Andrew Varitek is an American baseball catcher and team captain for the Boston Red Sox. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Red Sox...
, driving in
Kevin MillarKevin Charles Millar is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays. Millar played college baseball at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he continues to reside in the off-season...
.
Mark BellhornMark Christian Bellhorn is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Colorado Rockies organization. He has played in the majors for the Oakland Athletics , Chicago Cubs , Colorado Rockies , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres , and Cincinnati Reds...
, who had struggled the entire series, then drove a fair hit into the left field stands. The ball struck a fan in the chest and dropped back onto the field, after which left field umpire Jim Joyce signaled the ball to be still in play, prompting Boston manager
Terry FranconaTerry Jon Francona , nicknamed "Tito," is a Major League Baseball manager. Francona has been the manager of the Boston Red Sox, of the American League since 2004.-Youth:...
to run onto the field and argue the ruling. The officiating crew huddled and ultimately overruled the call. Bellhorn had a three-run home run and the Red Sox had a 4-0 lead.
Schilling, still injured from the
ALDSIn Major League Baseball, the American League Division Series determines which two teams from the American League will advance to the American League Championship Series...
and Game 1, pitched seven strong innings, allowing only one run on a
Bernie WilliamsBernabé Figueroa Williams is a Puerto Rican musician and former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life and career:...
home run. To help stabilize the tendon in his ankle, Red Sox doctors had placed three sutures connecting the skin with ligament and deep connective tissue next to the bone, effectively creating a wall of tissue to keep the peroneal tendon from disrupting Schilling's pitching mechanics. By the end of his performance, Schilling's white sock was partially soaked in blood, and he stated later that he was completely exhausted.
Bronson ArroyoBronson Anthony Arroyo , is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds and a rock musician. He has previously played for the Boston Red Sox from 2003 to 2005, and the Pittsburgh Pirates between 2000 and 2002...
took the mound for Boston in the eighth and, with one out, allowed a
Miguel CairoMiguel Jesús Cairo is a Major League Baseball utility player for the Philadelphia Phillies. He has mostly played second base during his career, but has played every position in baseball except catcher and pitcher.-Playing career:Cairo was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles...
double.
Derek JeterDerek Sanderson Jeter is an American professional baseball player. He is a Major League Baseball shortstop who has played his entire career for the New York Yankees. He has served as the Yankees' team captain since 2003...
singled him in to close the gap to 4-2, leading up to the series' most controversial play.
Alex RodriguezAlexander Emmanuel Rodriguez is a Dominican and American professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Alex" or "A-Rod," he currently plays third base for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. He previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.Rodriguez is considered...
grounded a ball to Arroyo, who picked up the ball and ran to the baseline to tag Rodríguez out, but the Yankee slapped Arroyo's arm, knocking the ball loose. While the ball rolled down the baseline, Rodríguez went to second and Jeter scored. After another long conversation among the umpires, Rodríguez was called out for
interferenceIn baseball, interference is an infraction where a person illegally changes the course of play from what is expected. Interference might be committed by players on the offense, players not currently in the game, catchers, umpires, or spectators; each type of interference is covered differently by...
and Jeter was ordered back to first, thus wiping out the score. The Red Sox got out of the inning without further damage. The call further incensed the Yankee fans, already irate over the home run call in the fourth. As Torre and Rodríguez continued to frenetically argue with the umpires, many fans began to throw balls and other debris onto the field. Boston manager
Terry FranconaTerry Jon Francona , nicknamed "Tito," is a Major League Baseball manager. Francona has been the manager of the Boston Red Sox, of the American League since 2004.-Youth:...
pulled his players from the field to protect them. After a delay, order was restored when NYPD officers took the field in riot gear. The presence of riot police on the field for a full inning was unprecedented in American professional sports and reflected the chaotic environment of that evening. The Red Sox were retired in the top of the ninth. Red Sox closer
Keith FoulkeKeith Charles Foulke is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who currently plays for the Newark Bears organization.-Career:...
came in for the bottom of the ninth and allowed Matsui and Sierra to walk, bringing Tony Clark to the plate as the potential pennant-winning run, but Clark struck out swinging on a
full countIn baseball and softball, a full count is the common name for a count where the batter has three balls and two strikes. The term may derive from older scoreboards, which had three spaces for balls and two for strikes, since this is the maximum number of each that can be achieved before some type...
to end the game.
The Red Sox, the 26th team in Major League Baseball playoff history to face a 3-0 series deficit, became the first to force a Game Seven.
Game 7
Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York
For inspiration for their ALCS comeback, the Red Sox gathered in Yankee Stadium's visitors' clubhouse prior to Game 7 to watch
MiracleMiracle is a American biographical sports film about the United States men's hockey team, led by head coach Herb Brooks, that won the gold medal in the 1980 Winter Olympics. The USA team's victory over the heavily favored Soviet team in the medal round was dubbed the Miracle on Ice...
, the movie chronicling the
1980 U.S. men's gold-medal hockey teamThe "Miracle on Ice" is the nickname given to a medal-round men's ice hockey game during the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York, which occurred on February 22. The United States team, made up of amateur and collegiate players and led by coach Herb Brooks, defeated the Soviet Union team,...
.
Game 7 began at 8:30 in the evening on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at Yankee Stadium. The starting pitchers were Derek Lowe for the Red Sox and Kevin Brown for the Yankees. Johnny Damon led off the game by singling to left and stealing second, but was thrown out at home trying to score on a Manny Ramirez base hit. The very next pitch, however, was lined into the right-field bleachers by David Ortiz to give Boston a 2-0 advantage. In the second inning, the Sox loaded the bases against Brown, causing Yankees manager Joe Torre to remove him and put in Javier Vázquez to face Johnny Damon. Damon hammered Vázquez' first pitch into the right-field seats for a grand slam. The rout was on. Damon, who also had a two-run homer in the fourth, had three hits in the game, despite having only three hits previously in the series. Boston also enjoyed a solid performance from their starting pitcher, Derek Lowe, who allowed only one run and one hit in six innings of work. Lowe, who had significant bullpen experience for the Red Sox, was never even intended to be a starter in the postseason. He pitched game seven on just two days of rest.
Pedro Martínez relieved Lowe in the seventh inning, receiving loud chants of "Who's Your Daddy?," which intensified as he gave up a sequence of hits, allowing two runs. He eventually raised the velocity of his fastball to the mid-90s and shut down the rally. Mike Timlin and Alan Embree finished out the game. At 12:01 a.m., on October 21st, Rubén Sierra hit a groundball to second baseman
Pokey ReeseCalvin "Pokey" Reese, Jr. , is a former Major League Baseball infielder and two-time NL Gold Glove Award winner. Reese has played with the Cincinnati Reds , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Boston Red Sox...
, who threw to first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz to finish the unprecedented comeback. The Red Sox won 10-3 and became the first team in Major League Baseball history to win a seven-game series after losing the first three games. David Ortiz was named the series MVP.
Composite box
2004 ALCS
(4–3): Boston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since , the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. The "Red Sox" name originates from the iconic uniform feature....
over
New York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division...
Series quotes
Records
- The Red Sox set a Major League postseason record by becoming the first team to win eight straight postseason games in the same postseason (four straight in the ALCS and four consecutive games in the World Series). The Oakland Athletics had won 10 straight postseason games but they were spread out over two postseasons (the 1989 ALCS and World Series, and the 1990 ALCS).
- The Red Sox became the first team in MLB history to lose the first three games of a best-of-seven series [ALCS] and win the last four games of the series.
- Game 3 was the longest nine-inning postseason game in history, a 4 hour and 20 minute contest.
- In Game 3 Yankee left fielder Hideki Matsui had five hits and five RBIs, tying an American League Championship Series record.
- Game 5 was the longest Major League postseason game in history at 5 hours and 49 minutes until Game 4 of the 2005 National League Division Series
The National League Division Series , the opening round of the 2005 National League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 4, and ended on Sunday, October 9, with the champions of the three NL divisions – along with a "wild card" team – participating in two best-of-five series. They...
between the Houston AstrosThe Houston Astros is a major league baseball team located in Houston, Texas. The Astros are a member of the Central Division. From 2000 to the present, the Astros have played their home games at Minute Maid Park . The Astros joined MLB under the name Colt .45s along with the New York Mets in...
and the Atlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From to the present, the Braves have played in Turner Field....
which lasted 5 hours and 50 minutes.
- David Ortiz
David Ortiz is a Dominican Major League Baseball designated hitter who has played for the Boston Red Sox since . Previously, Ortiz played for the Minnesota Twins . Nicknamed "Big Papi," Ortiz is a five-time All-Star and holds the Red Sox single-season record for home runs with 54, set during the ...
became the first player to hit two walk-off HRs in the same postseason, 2004 American League Division SeriesThe American League Division Series , the opening round of the 2004 American League playoffs, began on Tuesday, October 5, and ended on Saturday, October 9, with the champions of the three AL divisions – along with a "wild card" team – participating in two best-of-five series. They...
Game 3 and 2004 ALCS Game 4.
External links