The Boston Red Sox won the 2004 World Series, sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in four games to capture their first championship in 86 years. This victory shattered the legendary Curse of the Bambino, a purported hex that began when team owner Harry Frazee sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees after the 1919 season. For nearly a century, generations of fans endured heartbreak, near-misses, and agonizing losses. Breaking this drought required not just a talented roster, but the greatest postseason comeback in baseball history just to reach the Fall Classic.
Before Boston could face St. Louis, the team had to survive an epic American League Championship Series against their archrivals, the New York Yankees. Down 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, facing elimination and the weight of history, the Red Sox rallied to win four straight games. That unprecedented turnaround completely shifted the momentum of the franchise and exorcised decades of October demons. Once they advanced, the World Series against the Cardinals served as the final step in a historic redemption arc.
The Origin of the Drought and the Curse
To understand the magnitude of 2004, you have to look back at how Boston built and squandered a baseball dynasty. Between 1903 and 1918, the Red Sox won five World Series titles, largely built around the exceptional two-way play of Babe Ruth. However, owner Harry Frazee needed cash to finance Broadway theatrical productions and sold Ruth's contract to the New York Yankees prior to the 1920 season.
The transaction immediately tilted the balance of power in Major League Baseball. The Yankees went on to win multiple championships, while Boston entered an 86-year championship drought. Along the way, specific heartbreaking moments cemented the lore of the curse:
- 1946: The Red Sox lost a seven-game World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals, hampered by a famous mental lapse on a base hit.
- 1975: Boston lost another seven-game classic to the Cincinnati Reds, despite Carlton Fisk's iconic wave-it-fair home run in Game 6.
- 1986: The team came within one strike of winning the championship in Game 6 against the New York Mets, only to lose via a ground ball that slipped through Bill Buckner's legs.
These recurring failures convinced fans and media that an actual supernatural penalty hung over Fenway Park.
The Turning Point: The 2004 ALCS Comeback
The road to the 2004 title nearly ended in total disaster during the ALCS. After losing the first three games to the Yankees—including a brutal 19-3 blowout in Game 3—Boston stood on the brink of another humiliating elimination. No team in major league history had ever overcome a 3-0 postseason deficit.
The turnaround began in the ninth inning of Game 4. Trailing by a run and facing legendary closer Mariano Rivera, pinch-runner Dave Roberts stole second base and scored on a single by Bill Mueller. The Red Sox won that game in the 12th inning on a walk-off home run by David Ortiz.
Boston repeated the clutch heroics in Game 5, winning another extra-inning thriller. Back in New York for Game 6, pitcher Curt Schilling took the mound with a torn tendon sheath in his right ankle, securing a victory with a blood-stained sock. By the time Boston routed New York 10-3 in Game 7, they had completed the impossible comeback and set their sights on St. Louis.
Dominating the Fall Classic
Exhausted emotionally from the Yankees series, the Red Sox entered the 2004 World Series as focused competitors rather than relieved underdogs. The St. Louis Cardinals featured a potent offense known as the "MV3" trio of Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds, and Scott Rolen, but Boston completely neutralized them.
Game 1 delivered a wild offensive showcase, with the Red Sox winning 11-9 at Fenway Park behind clutch hitting from Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz. Game 2 was a tighter affair, featuring dominant pitching from Curt Schilling, who again pitched effectively despite his ankle injury, leading Boston to a 6-2 win.
Moving to Busch Stadium for Game 3, the Red Sox kept up the pressure. Manny Ramirez hit a crucial home run, and starting pitcher Pedro Martinez bounced back from struggles against the Yankees to throw seven strong innings in a 4-1 victory. Boston held a commanding 3-0 series lead, putting St. Louis on the ropes.
Closing the Door in Game 4
On October 27, 2004, the Red Sox finished the sweep. Manager Terry Francona handed the ball to starting pitcher Derek Lowe, who was working on short rest. Lowe delivered a masterclass, shutting down the Cardinals' lineup over seven scoreless innings while allowing just three hits.
Johnny Damon led off the game with a dramatic home run to center field, setting an aggressive tone immediately. Trot Nixon added a bases-loaded double in the third inning to push the lead to 3-0, providing all the run support Lowe would need.
Reliever Keith Foulke entered in the ninth inning to close out the game. Edgar Renteria hit a soft ground ball back to the mound, and Foulke underhanded it to first baseman Kevin Millar for the final out. The 86-year drought was officially over, and Red Sox players mobbed the pitcher's mound in St. Louis.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Studying This Era
When exploring baseball history from this period, sports fans often fall into a few common analytical traps:
- Ignoring the regular season context: Some view the 2004 team as a miraculous underdog, but they won 98 games and earned the AL wild card as one of the league's most powerful offensive units.
- Crediting only individual stars: While David Ortiz and Curt Schilling dominated headlines, role players like Dave Roberts, Mark Bellhorn, and backup catcher Doug Mirabelli played vital, series-altering roles.
- Treating the curse as literal fact: The Curse of the Bambino was a media narrative and psychological weight rather than a physical barrier; the ultimate turnaround came down to elite front-office analytics, deep roster construction, and clutch execution under pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the MVP of the 2004 World Series?
Manny Ramirez won the World Series MVP award. He batted .413 during the postseason and drove in crucial runs while providing stellar outfield play throughout the four-game sweep.
Did Curt Schilling pitch with a torn tendon in the World Series?
Yes. During Game 6 of the ALCS, team medical staff stabilized his right ankle using a suturing technique to secure the tendon sheath. This caused blood to seep through his sock during the game, creating one of the most iconic visual memories in baseball history.
How did the Red Sox acquire David Ortiz before the 2004 season?
The Minnesota Twins released David Ortiz after the 2002 season due to salary arbitration concerns. The Red Sox signed him as a free agent primarily as a depth option, and he quickly developed into one of the most feared clutch hitters in baseball.
Why is the 2004 ALCS considered more historic than the World Series?
While winning the World Series ended the 86-year drought, the ALCS comeback against the Yankees remains historic because no other MLB team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in a postseason series.
What happened to the ball from the final out of the 2004 World Series?
Pitcher Keith Foulke tossed the final out ball to first baseman Kevin Millar. Millar later kept the ball in his possession before eventually selling it at auction years later to a private collector who valued the historic artifact.
