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| 2004 MLB postseason | |
|---|---|
| Title | 2004 MLB postseason |
| Year | 2004 |
| Champion | Boston Red Sox |
| Runner-up | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Dates | October 5 – October 27, 2004 |
| Managers | Terry Francona; Tony La Russa |
2004 MLB postseason The 2004 Major League Baseball postseason culminated in the World Series championship won by the Boston Red Sox over the St. Louis Cardinals, ending an 86-year championship drought associated with the Curse of the Bambino and cementing legacies for figures such as David Ortiz, Pedro Martínez, Curt Schilling, and Terry Francona. The playoffs featured dramatic series between storied franchises like the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, and Houston Astros, producing memorable moments that connected to narratives involving Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Busch Stadium, and the managerial careers of Joe Torre and Tony La Russa.
The 2004 postseason followed the Major League Baseball structure established in the late 1990s with three division winners and one Wild Card team from each of the American League and National League advancing to a best-of-five American League Division Series and National League Division Series, followed by best-of-seven American League Championship Series and National League Championship Series and culminating in the World Series. Seeding reflected 2004 regular-season outcomes, with tiebreakers and scheduling determined under rules administered by Bud Selig and the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball. Home-field advantage in the World Series was awarded to the league that won the All-Star Game—a policy tied to the 2003 MLB All-Star Game outcome and involving teams such as the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox in prior discussions.
American League: - #1 New York Yankees (AL East champions) — managed by Joe Torre - #2 Minnesota Twins (AL Central champions) — managed by Ron Gardenhire - #3 Anaheim Angels (AL West champions) — managed by Mike Scioscia - #4 Boston Red Sox (AL Wild Card) — managed by Terry Francona
National League: - #1 St. Louis Cardinals (NL Central champions) — managed by Tony La Russa - #2 Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West champions) — managed by Jim Tracy - #3 Atlanta Braves (NL East champions) — managed by Bobby Cox - #4 Houston Astros (NL Wild Card) — managed by Jimy Williams
Seedings set series matchups such as the Yankees vs. Twins and marquee NL meetings involving Cardinals vs. Dodgers and Braves vs. Astros; television coverage came via ESPN, Fox Sports and regional broadcasters.
American League Championship Series: The Boston Red Sox faced the New York Yankees in an ALCS that became one of the most famous comebacks in Major League Baseball history. After falling behind 0–3 in the best-of-seven series, the Red Sox won four consecutive games, capped by Game 7 victories featuring performances by David Ortiz, Curt Schilling, and closer Keith Foulke, securing the AL pennant and ending the Red Sox–Yankees postseason rivalry chapter led by figures such as Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter.
National League Championship Series: The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Houston Astros in six games to claim the NL pennant; the series featured standout contributions from players like Albert Pujols, Jim Edmonds, and pitchers Mark Mulder and Chris Carpenter, and managerial strategies by Tony La Russa that contrasted with the Astros' emerging stars Craig Biggio and Jeff Kent.
World Series: The Boston Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals in four games to win their first World Series since 1918, with pitching performances from Curt Schilling and Pedro Martínez, offensive leadership from David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, and managerial leadership by Terry Francona overcoming the long shadow of the Curse of the Bambino.
Game 4 of the ALCS: Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling delivered a heroic outing after reconstructive ankle surgery, while Dave Roberts provided a pivotal ninth-inning stolen base that shifted momentum; the game connected to legacies of players like Johnny Damon and the rivalry history with Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees. Game 5 and Game 6 of the ALCS featured dramatic late-inning heroics from David Ortiz and bullpen management that involved Keith Foulke and Orlando Cabrera. In the NLCS, Jeff Bagwell and Roger Clemens-era narratives intersected with the Astros' roster and led to playoff moments involving Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge. World Series Game 3 and Game 4 included offensive bursts from Manny Ramirez and defensive plays reminiscent of previous World Series campaigns involving Carl Yastrzemski and Ted Williams.
The 2004 postseason produced individual honors and statistical landmarks: David Ortiz emerged as an iconic postseason slugger, while Curt Schilling and Pedro Martínez added to their reputations as postseason pitchers. The Red Sox ended the longest championship drought in Major League Baseball history since the Chicago Cubs later ended their own in 2016; managerial accolades went to Terry Francona for leading the Red Sox to a franchise milestone, and Tony La Russa for guiding the Cardinals to the National League crown. The Red Sox's comeback from a 0–3 ALCS deficit set a modern-era precedent later referenced in discussions of postseason resilience.
Boston's 2004 title reshaped narratives about the Curse of the Bambino, influenced the careers of players such as David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and Derek Lowe, and affected front-office decisions across Major League Baseball including the trajectories of the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals. The ALCS comeback against the Yankees became a cultural touchstone referenced in media about redemption and rivalry, while the cardinals' World Series loss prompted roster adjustments involving Albert Pujols and pitching acquisitions in subsequent seasons. The 2004 postseason is frequently cited alongside other historic postseasons like the 1986 World Series and the 1991 World Series for its impact on franchise lore, fan culture at venues such as Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium, and the evolving narrative of postseason heroism in Major League Baseball.