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On This Date in 2004: Boston Red Sox Win First World Series in 86 Years
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- On This Date in 2004: Boston Red Sox Win First World Series in 86 Years
Since 2000, no team in baseball has won more World Series titles than the Boston Red Sox . The Red Sox' run of dominance, of course, began in 2004. After the greatest comeback in sports history, overcoming a 3-0 series deficit to defeat the New York Yankees in seven games. On October 27, 2004, the Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 in Game 4 of the World Series to win their first World Series in 86 years.
About the game
Johnny Damon got things started early for the Red Sox, launching a leadoff home run off St. Louis starter Jason Marquis. Trot Nixon added some insurance runs in the top of the third inning with a two-run double off Marquis, scoring David Ortiz and Jason Varitek to make it 3-0. That was all the Red Sox offense needed, thanks to a masterful performance from the Red Sox pitching staff.
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Veteran right-hander Derek Lowe got the start for the Red Sox in the series-clinching win. The 31-year-old right-hander tossed seven shutout innings, allowing only three hits, walking one, and striking out four before handing the ball to the bullpen. Bronson Arroyo and Alan Embree combined for a scoreless eighth, before closer Keith Foulke closed it out in the ninth.
More on the series
004 World Series Game 4 - Boston Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals -- Members of the Red Sox rush out of the dugout to celebrate their World Series win over the Cardinals. Eileen Blass / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Cardinals were a juggernaut in 2004, winning a league-high 105 regular season games. With a lineup that featured Hall of Famers Scott Rolen and Larry Walker, future Hall of Famers Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina, as well as Jim Edmonds. The Cardinals offense scored 855 runs in the regular season, the sixth most in baseball.
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However, the lethal Cardinals lineup was held in check by the Red Sox pitching staff, hitting just .190/.261/.302/.562, scoring only 12 runs in the four-game Red Sox sweep.
As for the Red Sox, they were led by Hall of Fame designated hitter David Ortiz and should-be Hall of Fame left fielder Manny Ramirez. Boston finished the regular season with the best offense in baseball, scoring a league-high 949 runs. As a team, Boston hit .283/.404/.478/.882 in the World Series. After a 7-for-17 performance with one home run and four RBI, Ramirez was named World Series MVP as the Red Sox broke the 'Curse of the Bambino' and began a 14-year run that produced four World Series titles.
22 years ago today, the Boston Red Sox became World Series champions. In the words of Hall of Fame broadcaster Joe Castiglione: "Can you believe it?"
