On October 26, 2004, the Boston Red Sox were one loss away from elimination in the American League Championship Series. They trailed the Yankees 3-0 in a best-of-seven series—something no team in Major League Baseball history had ever overcome. Thirty-eight years without a World Series title, and it seemed to be slipping away in New York. But what happened next rewrote baseball history.
Game 4: The Turning Point
With David Ortiz leading the charge (he’d finish the series at .387), the Red Sox won Game 4 in 12 innings, 6-4. It wasn’t just a victory; it was an act of defiance. Ortiz’s go-ahead home run gave Boston life. The Yankees, cruising comfortably, suddenly felt the momentum shift. One win doesn’t erase a 3-0 deficit, but it opens a door.
Three Straight Wins
Boston won Game 5 (4-2), Game 6 (4-2), and Game 7 (6-3), all at Fenway Park. Derek Lowe was the winning pitcher in that decisive seventh game, allowing no runs over 6 innings. The Yankees, who had won 101 games in the regular season, couldn’t stop the bleeding. The series transformed from a coronation into a nightmare for New York.
The 2004 Legacy
This comeback led to the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, where Boston swept 4-0. It was the franchise’s first title in 86 years. That team broke the Curse of the Bambino and proved that in October, when hearts race and stakes are highest, statistics can be rewritten. Today, Boston’s 2004 comeback remains the only time a team has come back from 0-3 down in a playoff series.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Red Sox Regular Season Record | 98-64 |
| Yankees Regular Season Record | 101-61 |
| David Ortiz Series Average | .387 |
| Games Won After 0-3 Deficit | 4 (all victories) |
| Years Since Last World Series (Boston) | 86 |
FAQ
Had anything like this ever happened in baseball history?
No. No team in Major League Baseball had ever come back from 0-3 down in a playoff series before 2004. It remains the only instance.
What was David Ortiz’s role in this comeback?
Ortiz was the emotional heartbeat of the team. He batted .387 in the series with clutch home runs at critical moments, especially in Game 4. The Yankees simply couldn’t get him out when it mattered most.
Did Boston win the World Series that year?
Yes. After coming back against the Yankees, the Red Sox swept the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 in the World Series, winning their first title in 86 years and ending the famous Curse of the Bambino.
