Major League Baseball 21st Century World Series Champions, Ranked: 2004 Red Sox Are No. phdream 333 login philippines register 10
Updated Oct. 22, 2025, 11:43 a.m. ET
Among the 25 World Series champions since the year 2000, where do the 2004 Red Sox find themselves on this list? This team embodies one of the remarkable narratives of this century, much like the 2005 White Sox and the 2016 Cubs. These are long-established organizations, many of which have existed as long, if not longer, than Major League Baseball itself, yet they had gone without championships for nearly all of the league’s history. Unlike the Chicago squads, the Red Sox had previously come agonizingly close to clinching the World Series in 1967, 1975, and 1986 since the introduction of color television. Even if their championship drought wasn’t as lengthy as that of the Cubs and was more successful than that of the White Sox, it was a more painful experience in recent memory. jlslot.com & jlslot.ph
The heartbreak deepened when the Yankees defeated the 2003 Red Sox in a soul-crushing Game 7 loss in the ALCS. However, the 2004 season marked a significant turning point for everyone involved. The 2003 lineup had already welcomed players like Bill Mueller, Kevin Millar, and David Ortiz to a roster that included Johnny Damon, Jason Varitek, and Manny Ramirez. okebetcom Ortiz emerged as a star after claiming the everyday role as designated hitter. Yet, the Sox bolstered their lineup further following their loss to New York. Boston added Curt Schilling in the offseason, pairing him with Pedro Martinez as a formidable co-ace. Additionally, Mark Bellhorn was brought in to man second base, exhibiting a .373 on-base percentage, while rookie Kevin Youkilis made his presence felt in 72 games with a .367 mark Jiliko app.
During the season, the Sox traded their homegrown star Nomar Garciaparra for shortstop Orlando Cabrera and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz to strengthen their defense, which had been a vulnerability for a team known for its hitting prowess. While Pedro Martinez may not have been at his peak, he ranked fourth in the AL Cy Young race with solid performances. In total, 157 of the 162 starts for Boston came from their five regular rotation members, and it was this collective depth and overall talent that propelled them to 98 victories. Although Derek Lowe seemed the odd one out when compared to Schilling, Martinez, Tim Wakefield, and Bronson Arroyo, he was often a victim of misfortune but still managed to make 33 starts and pitch 182 innings. In the postseason, he was as pivotal as anyone else: Lowe recorded a 1.86 ERA over 19.1 innings in four games, demonstrating his past closer experience by shutting down the Angels in relief during extra innings of Game 3 of the ALDS. He started Game 4 against the Yankees, marking the first step in Boston’s historic comeback after being down 3-0 in the series, and emerged as the winning pitcher in Game 7 after six excellent innings allowing only one run in New York.
The Red Sox concluded their remarkable journey by sweeping the Cardinals in the World Series, despite facing a team that was undeniably more talented than many of the champions seen this century. The 2004 Red Sox may not receive extra accolades for their comeback story or for lifting the curse of Babe Ruth, but defeating the star-laden ‘04 Cardinals certainly adds a significant point in their favor.
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