2004 Major League Baseball season
The 2004 Major League Baseball season ended when the Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in a four-game World Series sweep. The Red Sox championship ended an 86-year-long drought known as the Curse of the Bambino. The Red Sox were also the first team in MLB history and the third team from a major North American professional sports league ever to come back from a 3–0 postseason series deficit and win. This happened in the ALCS against the New York Yankees.
The Montreal Expos would play their last season in Montreal, before relocating to Washington DC, becoming the Washington Nationals in 2005.
Statistical leaders
Standings
American League
National League
Postseason
2004 was the last postseason until 2020 where both LCS went to 7 games.Bracket
Note: Two teams in the same division could not meet in the division series.
Managers
[American League]
National League">National League (baseball)">National League
±hosted the MLB All Star GameMilestones
The following players reached major milestones in 2004:Perfect game
pitched the 17th perfect game in MLB history on May 18, 2004.4000 strikeouts
struck out Jeff Cirillo on June 29, 2004, for his 4000th strikeout.500 Home Run Club
– June 20300 Wins Club
– August 7, 2004Single-Season hits record broken
– 262 hitsWalk-off home runs
There were a total of 80 walk-off home runs, which was then the MLB single-season record until 2018.Awards
Other awards
- Edgar Martínez Award : David Ortiz
- Hank Aaron Award: Manny Ramirez ; Barry Bonds.
- Roberto Clemente Award : Edgar Martínez.
- Rolaids Relief Man Award: Mariano Rivera ; Éric Gagné.
- Warren Spahn Award : Johan Santana
Player of the Month