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 to the Yankees 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 three-game 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 led the major leagues in runs scored (949), doubles (373), batting average (.282), on-base percentage (.360), slugging percentage (.472), OPS (.832) and total bases (2,702). Offseason November 28, 2003: Casey Fossum, Brandon Lyon, Jorge de la Rosa, and Michael Goss (minors) were traded by the Red Sox to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Curt Schilling. December 16, 2003: Mark Bellhorn was acquired by the Red Sox from the Colorado Rockies as part of a conditional deal. December 22, 2003: Gabe Kapler was signed as a free agent by the Red Sox. December 23, 2003: Pokey Reese was signed as a free agent by the Red Sox. January 7, 2004: Keith Foulke was signed as a free agent by the Red Sox. A New Manager Following the Sox' 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 accumulated a 188─136 record with the Red Sox, received a $250,000 parting gift as well as $60,000 in performance bonuses.