10 Unforgettable Moments From Red Sox-Yankees 2004 ALCS Game 7
BOSTON (CBS) -- It was 10 years ago today that the Boston Red Sox rewrote history.
After their heartbreaking ALCS loss to the New York Yankees off the bat of Aaron Boone in 2003, the Red Sox were once again pitted up against their biggest rival with a trip to the World Series on the line in 2004. Things were supposed to be much different, with Boston taking 11 of the 19 regular season meetings and Curt Schilling now with Pedro Martinez in the Red Sox rotation. But the Yankees jumped out to a 3-0 series lead despite close games in Games 1 and 2, followed by a 19-8 trouncing in Game 3 at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox were all but done, facing their final three outs of the series until Dave Roberts swiped second base in the ninth inning of Game 4. He later came around to score the game-tying run on a Bill Mueller single, and a David Ortiz two-run homer in the bottom of the 12th gave Boston the win -- and new life in the series. The Red Sox fought back to win three straight to even the series up at 3-3, bringing us to October 20, 2004.
One game for the AL pennant and a trip to the Fall Classic. The Red Sox wasted no time in deciding that one, bursting out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and a 6-0 lead by the second. They won the game 10-3 to advance to the World Series, where they swept the St. Louis Cardinals to end their 86-year title drought. Boston's feat against New York remains the only comeback from a 3-0 series deficit in MLB history.
Let's relive some of the classic moments from 10 years ago with 10 unforgettable moments from Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS:
1. Ortiz's Early Homer
The Red Sox jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to a two-run blast by David Ortiz off New York starter Kevin Brown in the first inning. Ortiz was named the MVP of the series, batting .387 with three homers and 11 RBI.
2. Damon's Grand Slam
Damon had been just 3-for-29 over the first six games of the series, but put that all behind him with one swing of the bat in Game 7. With one out and the bases loaded with Red Sox in the top of the second, Damon took the first pitch from Javier Vasquez and deposited a grand slam into the right field seats to give the Boston a 6-0 lead. And he wasn't done yet.
3. Another Blast From Damon
After the Yankees scored their first run in the bottom of the third to make it 6-1 Boston, Damon added even more insurance with a two-run homer in the fourth inning. He finished the game 3-for-6 with the two homers, six RBI and two runs scored.
4. Lowe Quiets New York
Derek Lowe got the start for the Red Sox, and held the Yankees to just one run over six innings while striking out three. Lowe finished his evening by striking out Gary Sheffield to end the sixth, the 11th straight batter he retired.
5. Pedro In Relief
Just a year after the Grady Little debacle, Terry Francona actually called upon Pedro Martinez to come out in relief for Boston in Game 7. The Yankees tagged him for a pair of runs, prompting "Who's Your Daddy" chants from Yankees fans, but Pedro struck out John Olerud and got Miguel Cairo to pop out to end the threat.
6. Let The Celebration Begin!
Alan Embree got the final out of the 10-3 Red Sox victory, prompting quite the celebration in the Bronx.
7. Pig Pile
8. The Hero Of Game 7
Rock on, Johnny. Rock on.
9. Big Hugs
When the Red Sox traded for Orlando Cabrera at the deadline, he brought an array of celebratory hand shakes with him. When the Red Sox won Game 7, he and Pokey Reese decided a hand shake wasn't enough.
10. A Little Bubbly
Nothing fazed Kevan Millar in 2004. Nothing.
But that was probably just the Jack Daniels at work:
BONUS: WE'RE NUMBER ONE!!!!
After beating the Yankees, Boston swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. The Red Sox have gone on to win three World Series titles in 10 years, but it all began with their dramatic and incredible comeback against their foes in New York.
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