View source for Boston Red Sox World Series 2004: Game-by-Game

```mediawiki
{{Infobox World Series
| year = 2004
| image =
| caption =
| series_winner = Boston Red Sox
| AL_team = Boston Red Sox
| AL_wins = 4
| NL_team = St. Louis Cardinals
| NL_wins = 0
| series_dates = October 23–27, 2004
| ballpark1 = Fenway Park, Boston
| ballpark2 = Busch Stadium, St. Louis
| MVP = Manny Ramírez
| umpire =
| broadcast = Fox
| attendance = 209,610
}}

The Boston Red Sox's 2004 World Series victory ended an 86-year championship drought for the franchise. Achieved against the St. Louis Cardinals in a four-game sweep, it was the first World Series title for Boston since 1918. The path to that sweep was built on an extraordinary foundation: the Red Sox had become the first team in major professional sports history to overcome a 3–0 series deficit, doing so against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series (ALCS). The series ran from October 23 to October 27, 2004, and produced performances and moments that have since taken on a fixed place in Boston's civic identity. This article provides a game-by-game breakdown of the 2004 World Series, with historical context, key statistics, and an account of its lasting cultural impact.<ref>["2004 World Series"], ''Baseball Reference'', retrieved October 15, 2024. https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2004_WS.shtml</ref>

== History ==

The 2004 World Series was the culmination of a years-long transformation for the Boston Red Sox, a team long associated with the "Curse of the Bambino," a superstition rooted in the franchise's failure to win a World Series after trading Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in January 1920. The curse was never officially acknowledged by the organization, but it became a cultural touchstone for Bostonians, who endured painful near-misses across five decades. In 1946, the Sox lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games when Enos Slaughter scored from first base on a single in the decisive eighth inning. In 1967, they fell to the Cardinals again in seven games despite a heroic season from Carl Yastrzemski. The 1975 World Series, widely regarded as one of the finest ever played, ended with a Game 7 loss to the Cincinnati Reds despite Carlton Fisk's iconic home run in Game 6. And in 1986, Boston came within one strike of a championship before a ground ball passed through first baseman Bill Buckner's legs in Game 6 against the New York Mets, setting up a Game 7 defeat that would haunt the franchise for another generation.<ref>Shaughnessy, Dan. ''Reversing the Curse''. Houghton Mifflin, 2005.</ref>

The 2004 season marked a decisive turning point. Under general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona, who had replaced Grady Little after the 2003 season, the Red Sox assembled a roster that blended veteran experience with emerging talent, including David Ortiz, Curt Schilling, Pedro Martínez, Manny Ramírez, and Johnny Damon. Midseason, Epstein made one of the most consequential trades in franchise history, sending popular shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs in a four-team deal that brought in shortstop Orlando Cabrera and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. The team improved immediately after the deal, and the clubhouse chemistry that defined the "Idiots," as the players called themselves, solidified in the second half.<ref>Francona, Terry and Shaughnessy, Dan. ''Francona: The Red Sox Years''. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.</ref>

Their journey to the World Series was not without adversity. The Red Sox fell behind the Yankees three games to zero in the ALCS, a deficit no team in a best-of-seven series had ever survived. What followed was the most improbable comeback in baseball history. Boston won Games 4, 5, 6, and 7 in succession to advance to the Fall Classic.<ref>["2004 World Series"], ''MLB.com official historical archive'', retrieved 2024. https://www.mlb.com/postseason/2004</ref> Game 4 hinged on a stolen base by Dave Roberts off Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning, which set up a game-tying RBI single by Bill Mueller and an eventual extra-inning win on a David Ortiz walk-off home run. Game 5 ended in the 14th inning on another Ortiz walk-off. Game 6, played on October 19, 2004, produced one of baseball's most enduring images: Curt Schilling pitching with a visibly blood-soaked sock, the result of a suture procedure on a dislocated peroneal tendon sheath in his right ankle. He allowed just one run over seven innings in a 4–2 Boston win, keeping the comeback alive.<ref>["2004 ALCS Game 6 Box Score"], ''Baseball Reference'', retrieved 2024. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA200410190.shtml</ref> Boston won Game 7 handily, 10–3, on the strength of a grand slam by Johnny Damon and a dominant pitching performance.

The World Series itself demonstrated that the Red Sox's ALCS performance was no fluke. St. Louis had won 105 games in the regular season and entered as formidable opponents. Their roster included first baseman Albert Pujols, one of the most productive hitters in baseball, third baseman Scott Rolen, center fielder Jim Edmonds, and a rotation anchored by Chris Carpenter. Still, Boston's pitching staff, led by Derek Lowe, Schilling, Martínez, and closer Keith Foulke, largely neutralized the Cardinals' offense across all four games. Foulke, in particular, had been a key off-season acquisition by Epstein and had posted a 2.17 ERA during the regular season. Fenway Park's intimate atmosphere and passionate fan base gave the team a genuine advantage in the two home games. By the time Foulke fielded Edgar Rentería's grounder and tossed to first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz to end Game 4, the victory was not just a sports achievement but a cultural milestone for an entire city.<ref>Shaughnessy, Dan. ''Reversing the Curse''. Houghton Mifflin, 2005.</ref>

== Game-by-Game Breakdown ==

=== Game 1: October 23, 2004 — Fenway Park, Boston ===

'''Final Score: Boston Red Sox 11, St. Louis Cardinals 9'''<br />
'''Attendance: 35,035'''<br />
'''Winning Pitcher: Bronson Arroyo''' | '''Losing Pitcher: Woody Williams'''

The Red Sox opened the series at Fenway Park with an 11–9 victory over the Cardinals, though the final score obscured how tightly contested the game was at various points.<ref>["2004 World Series Game 1 Box Score"], ''Baseball Reference'', retrieved 2024. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS200410230.shtml</ref> Tim Wakefield started for Boston, and the Red Sox offense broke out early against Cardinals starter Woody Williams. Mark Bellhorn hit a two-run home run in the third inning, and David Ortiz followed with a solo shot to extend the lead. Boston built a substantial early advantage, only for St. Louis to chip away steadily before the Red Sox pulled away in the later innings. Manny Ramírez went 2-for-4 with two RBI, beginning what would become a dominant individual World Series performance. The Cardinals managed nine runs of their own, making it a high-scoring affair, but Boston's lineup proved deeper. Bronson Arroyo earned the win in relief, with Keith Foulke recording the save. The victory gave Boston an immediate edge in the series and signaled that their lineup, rested after the grueling ALCS, was fully operational.<ref>["2004 World Series"], ''MLB.com official historical archive'', retrieved 2024. https://www.mlb.com/postseason/2004</ref>

One notable subplot in Game 1 was the Cardinals' challenge to a Bellhorn home run that had initially been ruled a fan interference double. After umpire crew chief Mike Everitt consulted with the other umpires, the call was upheld as a home run. St. Louis manager Tony La Russa's argument was unsuccessful, and the ruling stood. The two-run shot proved consequential in a game where the margin of victory was two runs.

=== Game 2: October 24, 2004 — Fenway Park, Boston ===

'''Final Score: Boston Red Sox 6, St. Louis Cardinals 2'''<br />
'''Attendance: 35,001'''<br />
'''Winning Pitcher: Curt Schilling''' | '''Losing Pitcher: Matt Morris'''

Boston won Game 2 by a score of 6–2, with Curt Schilling taking the mound less than a week after his blood-soaked performance in ALCS Game 6.<ref>["2004 World Series Game 2 Box Score"], ''Baseball Reference'', retrieved 2024. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS200410240.shtml</ref> Team doctors had again sutured the peroneal tendon sheath in Schilling's ankle to stabilize it for the start, and he responded with six strong innings, allowing just four hits and one earned run while striking out four. It was a performance that drew open acknowledgment from Cardinals players after the game. Jason Varitek drove in two runs, and the Red Sox bullpen, featuring Bronson Arroyo, Mike Timlin, and Keith Foulke, held St. Louis scoreless over the final three innings.

St. Louis starter Matt Morris struggled with his command early, surrendering multiple runs in the first three frames before settling in. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa went to his bullpen in the fourth inning, but Boston had already done the critical damage. Schilling's pitching line, 6 innings, 4 hits, 1 earned run, 4 strikeouts, was particularly impressive given that he had been considered a doubtful starter entering October. The win put Boston ahead two games to none, and the series now moved to Busch Stadium with the Red Sox needing just two more wins to end 86 years of waiting.

=== Game 3: October 26, 2004 — Busch Stadium, St. Louis ===

'''Final Score: Boston Red Sox 4, St. Louis Cardinals 1'''<br />
'''Attendance: 52,015'''<br />
'''Winning Pitcher: Pedro Martínez''' | '''Losing Pitcher: Jeff Suppan'''

The series shifted to St. Louis, and for the first time since the ALCS the Red Sox faced a crowd that wasn't behind them. It didn't matter. Pedro Martínez started for Boston and pitched effectively into the seventh inning, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out six Cardinals batters.<ref>["2004 World Series Game 3 Box Score"], ''Baseball Reference'', retrieved 2024. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN200410260.shtml</ref> Manny Ramírez was again productive, going 2-for-4, and Trot Nixon drove in a key run with a single in the fourth inning. St. Louis starter Jeff Suppan struggled and was also involved in one of the game's pivotal moments: with runners on base in the third inning, Suppan was caught too far off third base and had to retreat, failing to score when he might have. The Cardinals, facing the possibility of elimination, showed some fight, with Scott Rolen doubling in a run, but Boston's bullpen closed things down cleanly. The final score was 4–1.

One win from the championship, the Red Sox had now won seven consecutive postseason games. Martínez, who had been the subject of questions about his role on the staff heading into October, had delivered a performance that silenced any doubt. The Busch Stadium crowd, a sellout of more than 52,000, was largely subdued by the eighth inning. Boston's players, aware of what the next game could mean, remained composed in the clubhouse.

=== Game 4: October 27, 2004 — Busch Stadium, St. Louis ===

'''Final Score: Boston Red Sox 3, St. Louis Cardinals 0'''<br />
'''Attendance: 52,037'''<br />
'''Winning Pitcher: Derek Lowe''' | '''Losing Pitcher: Jason Marquis''' | '''Save: Keith Foulke'''

Derek Lowe started Game 4 and was arguably Boston's most reliable pitcher across the entire postseason run.<ref>["2004 World Series Game 4 Box Score"], ''Baseball Reference'', retrieved 2024. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN200410270.shtml</ref> Pitching on three days' rest for the third time in October, Lowe allowed just one hit through six innings before finishing with a line of 6 innings, 3 hits, 0 earned runs, 4 strikeouts. His sinker induced ground ball after ground ball against a Cardinals lineup that had hit .278 during the regular season. Trot Nixon hit an RBI single in the third inning, and Johnny Damon, whose ALCS heroics had included a grand slam in Game 7 against the Yankees, provided an insurance run with a sacrifice fly. The Red Sox led 3–0 heading into the ninth inning.

Keith Foulke entered to close out the game. He retired the first two batters and then fielded a soft ground ball off the bat of Edgar Rentería, tossing underhanded to Doug Mientkiewicz at first base for the final out at 11:40 p.m. Eastern Time on October 27, 2004.<ref>King, Stephen and O'Nan, Stewart. ''Faithful: Two Diehard Boston Red Sox Fans Chronicle the Historic 2004 Season''. Scribner, 2004.</ref> The final score was 3–0. Boston had swept the St. Louis Cardinals, four games to none, to win the 2004 World Series. Players rushed the field in St. Louis as tens of thousands of Red Sox fans across New England watched from bars, homes, and public spaces.

Manny Ramírez, who hit .412 with one home run and four RBI across the four games, was named World Series MVP.<ref>["21st Century World Series Champions, Ranked: 2004 Red Sox"], ''FOX Sports'', 2024. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/ranking-the-25-world-series-champions-of-the-21st-century-2004-red-sox</ref> His performance across 16 at-bats was consistent and clutch, and he drew four walks in addition to his six hits. The award was broadly considered deserved, though some observers noted that Lowe's three postseason wins, including Games 7 of the ALCS and Game 4 of the World Series, made him a compelling alternate choice.

=== Series Statistics ===

Across the four games, the Red Sox outscored the Cardinals 24–12 and held St. Louis to a .190 team batting average. Manny Ramírez's .412 average led all regulars, while David Ortiz hit .308 with two home runs and four RBI. Derek Lowe went 1–0 in the World Series with a 0.00 ERA, and finished the entire 2004 postseason with three wins, all in clinching games. The bullpen, anchored by Keith Foulke, was not scored upon in any of the four World Series games. Albert Pujols, St. Louis's most dangerous hitter, batted just .333 but drove in only two runs; Scott Rolen, another Cardinals offensive threat, went 2-for-15 in the series.<ref>["2004 World Series Statistics"], ''Baseball Reference'', retrieved 2024. https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2004_WS.shtml</ref> Combined attendance across the four games was 209,610, with the two Busch Stadium games drawing sellout crowds of more than 52,000 each.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ 2004 World Series Results
|-
! Game !! Date !! Location !! Score !! Winning Pitcher !! Losing Pitcher !! Attendance
|-
| 1 || October 23 || Fenway

== References ==
<references />