2004 ALCS Game 4
Where one stolen base ignited a rally that shattered 86 years of doubt.
Game 4 of the 2004 American League Championship Series stands as the single most pivotal moment in Boston Red Sox franchise history. Facing elimination against their arch-rivals, the New York Yankees, with a 3-0 series deficit, the Red Sox became the first team in Major League Baseball history to force a Game 7 after losing the first three games of a best-of-seven playoff series.
This contest is defined by David Ortiz's legendary extra-inning home run and the dramatic ninth-inning rally that kept the dream alive. It marked the turning point where the 'Curse of the Bambino' narrative began to crumble, setting the stage for an unprecedented comeback that would eventually lead to Boston's first World Series title in 86 years.
- Series Status
- Red Sox trail 0-3
- Final Score
- Boston Red Sox 6, New York Yankees 4
- Key Moment
- David Ortiz walk-off home run (12th inning)
- Turning Point Rally
- 9th Inning: Dave Roberts steals second base
- Venue
- Yankee Stadium, Bronx, NY
- Historical Distinction
- First MLB team to force Game 7 after trailing 0-3
Lore & Background
For decades, the Red Sox were defined by heartbreak, but October 17, 2004, shattered that narrative. Down three games to none against the Yankees, the atmosphere in Yankee Stadium was suffocating for Boston fans; victory seemed mathematically impossible. The team's identity shifted from perennial underachievers to a squad fueled by sheer desperation and belief. Manager Terry Francona made a daring move in the ninth inning, sending Dave Roberts in as a pinch-runner who stole second base on a pitch to Derek Jeter, igniting a rally that tied the game.
The tension escalated into extra innings, where the weight of history pressed heavily on every player. In the 12th inning, with two outs and runners on base, David Ortiz stepped up to the plate. His swing connected perfectly, sending a home run deep into the right-field stands at Yankee Stadium. The roar from the traveling Boston fans was deafening, signaling that the dynasty of the Yankees had been challenged. This victory did not just extend the series; it fundamentally altered the psychological landscape of baseball, proving that no lead in the playoffs is insurmountable.
In Their Own Story
Yankee Stadium held its breath as Dave Roberts crouched at first base, the score deadlocked 4-4 in a ninth that refused to end. As the pitch arrived, he took off—sliding safely into second, igniting a spark that would burn for eight innings. Hours of tension culminated in the 12th: Ortiz gripped the bat, eyes locked on the mound. The swing connected. The ball cleared the right-field wall, and suddenly, 86 years of sorrow evaporated in a single roar.
Reader's Guide
The occasion was Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. The Red Sox were on the brink of elimination, having lost the first three games of the series. What happened is now etched in baseball folklore: a miraculous ninth-inning rally sparked by Dave Roberts' stolen base tied the game, sending it into extra innings where David Ortiz’s 12th-inning home run secured the victory.
Did You Know?
- This is the only time in MLB history a team has come back from a 0-3 deficit to win a best-of-seven series.
- Dave Roberts' stolen base in the ninth inning was his first career playoff steal, yet it became one of the most famous plays in baseball history.
- The Red Sox went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series just days after this game.
- David Ortiz hit two walk-off hits in the 2004 ALCS, including this Game 4 home run and a single in Game 5.