No surprise what the number one moment is:
- Rivera’s blown save gives the Sox new life in ALCS Game 4, Oct. 17, 2004 – It seems like every Red Sox fan remembers the final innings of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS like it was yesterday.
Only three outs away from elimination, Boston trailed 4-3 in the ninth inning and faced Rivera, who was attempting a two-inning save to shut down the Red Sox and move on to the World Series.
Rivera started the final inning off poorly by walking Millar, who was replaced by the speedy Roberts. In what turned out to be the most pivotal play in the entire series, Roberts stole second base and subsequently was driven home on a single up the middle from Mueller, tying the game at 4.
The game would go on for another two innings, until Ortiz launched a 2-1 pitch from Yankees reliever Paul Quantrill into the bullpen, giving the Red Sox a 6-4 win.
Rivera, who had two blown saves in the series despite only allowing one earned run, had allowed the Red Sox back into the series, a series that Boston famously would win in seven games after trailing three games to none.
I am smiling just thinking about it. In fact, I might go put in my 2004 World Series DVDs to watch it again.