2004 Boston Red Sox season


The 2004 Boston Red Sox season was the 104th season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. Managed by Terry Francona, the Red Sox finished with a 98–64 record, three games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East. The Red Sox qualified for the postseason as the AL wild card, swept the Anaheim Angels in the ALDS, and faced the Yankees in the ALCS for the second straight year. After losing the first three games and trailing in the ninth inning of the fourth game, the Red Sox became the first team in major league history to come back from a 3–0 postseason deficit, defeating the Yankees in seven games. The Red Sox then swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, capturing their first championship since 1918.
The Red Sox had a strong offense in the regular season, leading the major leagues in runs scored, doubles, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging, total bases, batting average on balls in play, and plate appearances. They led all postseason teams in batting average and on-base percentage.

Offseason

Following the team's exit from the postseason by the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, Red Sox manager Grady Little was fired from his position on October 27, one business day after the 2003 World Series. Little, who had a 188–136 record managing the Red Sox, received a $250,000 parting gift as well as $60,000 in performance bonuses.
After a month of searching, the Red Sox hired former Philadelphia manager Terry Francona on December 4, 2003. Other candidates for consideration included Anaheim bench coach Joe Maddon, Texas first base coach DeMarlo Hale, and Los Angeles third base coach Glenn Hoffman. The Red Sox gave Francona a three-year deal with an option for a fourth.

Pre-season events

During the 2003–04 off season, the Red Sox acquired an ace starting pitcher, Curt Schilling, as well as a closer, Keith Foulke. Many visitors at their spring training at Fort Myers, Florida, were very enthusiastic about the 2004 Red Sox team. Expectations once again ran high that 2004 would finally be the year that the Red Sox ended their championship drought.

Spring training

The Red Sox also played exhibition games against Boston College and Northeastern University. The games were played as a doubleheader on March 5. The Red Sox defeated Boston College 9–3 and then defeated Northeastern University 7–0.

Regular season records

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Transactions

  • April 8: John Stephens claimed off of waivers by the Red Sox from the Baltimore Orioles.
  • April 9: The Red Sox placed Ramiro Mendoza on the 15-day DL; called up Mark Malaska from Pawtucket.
  • April 10: The Red Sox designated Brian Daubach for assignment; called up Frank Castillo from Pawtucket.
  • April 14: The Red Sox optioned Bobby Jones and Brian Daubach to Pawtucket.
  • April 15: The Red Sox recalled Phil Seibel from Pawtucket.
  • April 17: The Red Sox assigned Bobby Jones to Pawtucket.
  • April 18: The Red Sox obtained Scott Cassidy from the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later; optioned him and Frank Castillo to Pawtucket.
  • April 19: The Red Sox activated pitcher Lenny DiNardo.
  • April 21: The Red Sox acquired pitcher Brad Thomas from the Minnesota Twins.
  • April 26: The Red Sox placed Ellis Burks on the 15-day DL.
  • April 27: Brian Daubach recalled from Pawtucket by the Red Sox.
  • May 11: The Red Sox optioned pitcher Byung Hyun Kim to Pawtucket.
  • May 12: The Red Sox recalled pitcher Jamie Brown from Pawtucket.
  • May 15: The Red Sox acquired Henri Stanley from the San Diego padres in exchange for cash and a player to be named later. The Red Sox also recalled Kevin Youkilis from Pawtucket and optioned Mark Malaska to Pawtucket.
  • May 21: David Ortiz signs a two-year contract extension with the Red Sox through 2007.
  • May 25: The Red Sox placed Bill Mueller on the 15-day DL; recalled Andy Dominique from Pawtucket.
  • June 9: The Red Sox activated shortstop Nomar Garciaparra from the 15-day DL; recalled pitcher Mark Malaska from Pawtucket; sent Brian Daubach to outright to Pawtucket; optioned pitcher Jamie Brown to Pawtucket.
  • June 11: The Red Sox activated pitcher Scott Williamson; assigned Andy Dominique to Pawtucket.
  • June 14: The Red Sox signed pitchers Andrew Dobies, Tommy Hottovy, Ryan Schroyer, Cla Meredity and catcher Patrick Perry.
  • June 16: The Red Sox activated right fielder Trot Nixon and sent pitcher Anastacio Martínez to Pawtucket.
  • June 22: The Red Sox signed pitcher Curtis Leskanic; optioned pitcher Mark Malaska to Pawtucket.
  • June 30: The Red Sox signed pitcher Pedro Astacio to a minor league contract.
  • July 2: The Red Sox acquired pitcher Brandon Puffer from the Padres for a player to be named later and sent him to the minor leagues; traded pitcher Andrew Shipman and a player to be named later to the Cubs in exchange for Jimmy Anderson; activated third baseman Bill Mueller from the 15-day DL; placed pitcher Scott WIlliamson on the 15-day DL; designated infielder César Crespo for assignment; recalled pitcher Anastacio Martínez from Pawtucket.
  • July 3: The Red Sox purchased pitcher Jimmy Anderson from Pawtucket and optioned pitcher Anastacio Martínez to Pawtucket.
  • July 9: The Red Sox placed pitcher Lenny DiNardo on the 15-day DL and called up pitcher Joe Nelson from Pawtucket.
  • July 10: The Red Sox designated pitcher Tim Hamulack for assignment.
  • July 13: The Red Sox signed shortstop Dustin Pedroia and assigned him to Augusta.
  • July 15: The Red Sox activated pitcher Ramiro Mendoza and optioned third baseman Kevin Youkilis to Pawtucket.
  • July 21: The Red Sox acquired Ricky Gutiérrez from the Cubs for cash considerations and a player to be named later; placed second baseman Pokey Reese on the 15-day DL; recalled third baseman Kevin Youkilis and pitcher Mark Malaska from Pawtucket; sent pitcher Joe Nelson to Pawtucket.
  • July 22: The Red Sox purchased the contracts of infielder Ricky Gutiérrez from Pawtucket and pitcher Abe Alvarez from Portland; transferred outfielder Ellis Burks from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL; designated pitcher Jimmy Anderson for assignment.
  • July 24: The Red Sox traded Portland third baseman John Hattig to the Blue Jays in exchange for pitcher Terry Adams.
  • July 25: The Red Sox placed outfielder Trot Nixon and pitcher Curtis Leskanic on the 15-day DL; recalled catcher/first baseman Andy Dominique from Pawtucket.
  • July 29: MLB suspended several Red Sox players for their participation in the infamous brawl on July 24. Catcher Jason Varitek was suspended for four games whilst outfielders Gabe Kapler and Trot Nixon were suspended for three.
  • July 31: The Red Sox acquired shortstop Alex Gonzalez, pitchers Francis Beltrán and Justin Jones, and infielder Brendan Harris from the Cubs in exchange for shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, Sarasota outfielder Matt Murton and cash. The Red Sox then traded Gonzalez, Beltrán and Harris to the Expos for shortstop Orlando Cabrera, and traded Jones to the Twins for first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. In a separate trade, the Red Sox acquired outfielder Dave Roberts from the Dodgers in exchange for Pawtucket outfielder Henri Stanley.
  • August 1: The Red Sox optioned infielder Andy Dominique to Pawtucket.
  • August 2: The Red Sox paced second baseman Mark Bellhorn on the 15-day DL.
  • August 3: The Red Sox traded Pawtucket pitcher Jimmy Anderson to the Cubs for a player to be named later.
  • August 6: The Red Sox acquired pitcher Mike Myers from the Mariners for cash and a player to be named later; optioned pitcher Mark Malaska to Pawtucket.
  • August 17: The Red Sox activated pitcher Curt Leskanic; purchased the contract of infielder Earl Snyder from Pawtucket; placed third baseman Kevin Youkilis on the 15-day DL, retroactive to August 16; transferred pitcher Scott Williamson to the 60-day DL.
  • August 20: The Red Sox activated second baseman Mark Bellhorn and assigned third baseman Earl Snyder to Pawtucket.
  • August 31: The Red Sox purchased catcher Sandy Martínez from the Indians and assigned him to Pawtucket.
  • September 1: The Red Sox activated third baseman Kevin Youkilis and first baseman-outfielder David McCarty from the 15-day DL; called up catcher Sandy Martínez from Pawtucket.
  • September 2: The Red Sox recalled pitcher Brandon Puffer from Pawtucket.
  • September 3: The Red Sox purchased the contract of Adam Hyzdu from Pawtucket and claimed infielder Tim Hummel off waivers from the Reds; designated pitcher Brandon Puffer and infielder Andy Dominique for assignment.
  • September 5: The Red Sox purchased pitcher Pedro Astacio from Pawtucket.
  • September 7: The Red Sox activated outfielder Trot Nixon and infielder Pokey Reese.
  • September 9: The Red Sox activated pitcher Scott Williamson from the 60-day DL and designated infielder Earl Snyder for assignment.
  • September 21: The Red Sox recalled pitcher Byung Hyun Kim from Pawtucket.
  • September 23: The Red Sox activated designated hitter Ellis Burks from the 60-day DL and released pitcher Phil Seibel.
  • September 28: MLB suspended pitcher Pedro Astacio for three games and fined him for intentionally throwing at Yankee batters in a September 26 game.