MLB: 10th Anniversary of Curt Schilling’s ‘Bloody Sock’ Game

Ten years ago today, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Curt Schilling took the mound with a dislocated ankle tendon, and held the New York Yankees to one run in seven innings to help Boston tie the ALCS, and eventually stun New York to advance to the World Series. Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Ten years ago today, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Curt Schilling took the mound with a dislocated ankle tendon, and held the New York Yankees to one run in seven innings to help Boston tie the ALCS, and eventually stun New York to advance to the World Series. Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ten years ago today, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Curt Schilling took the mound with a dislocated ankle tendon, and held the New York Yankees to one run in seven innings to help Boston tie the ALCS, and eventually stun New York to advance to the World Series.

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The 2004 Boston Red Sox weren’t just the Red Sox team to bury the “Curse of the Bambino” when they won the World Series; that Red Sox team is the only team in MLB history to come back from a 3-0 series deficit. They are also the only MLB team to win a seven-game series in which they trailed 3-0.

There’s plenty of legendary stories from that 2004 Red Sox team, but one that might stand out for all time is the story of Curt Schilling’s bloody sock, and the Game Six masterpiece he pitched against the New York Yankees with a dislocated ankle tendon to even the series. FOX camera crews noticed the blood on Schilling’s sock as he took the mound, even if it wasn’t confirmed he was bleeding at the time.

Schilling held the Yankees to one run on four hits with no walks in seven innings during the game, and retired 21 of the 25 batters he faced, a remarkable performance for nearly any pitcher against the Yankees that season but it was especially incredible because the Boston medical staff had to basically stitch Schilling’s ankle together to allow him to pitch that night.

“You can talk all you want about that area and the sutures but his heart is so big,” said Boston manager Terry Francona after the game. “This was amazing. Our medical people jumped through hoops and they are to be commended … I guarantee you he didn’t feel that good but he competed and pitched his (butt) off.”

The Red Sox would go on to win their first World Series in 86 years when they swept the St. Louis Cardinals to be the 2004 MLB champions.

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