30 greatest World Series in MLB history
27. St. Louis Cardinals vs. Boston Red Sox, 2004
The 2004 World Series did not produce much drama, but its historical significance makes it deserving of a spot among the greatest World Series in MLB history.
It marked the 100th World Series, but that is not what made it memorable. The 2004 Fall Classic is remembered for the Red Sox overcoming the “Curse of the Bambino” and ending an 86-year championship drought.
The most thrilling part of Boston’s title run came in the American League Championship series. The Red Sox dropped the first three games of the series to the rival New York Yankees, and it seemed as if the drought would extend for at least another season. They refused to give up, however, and became the first team in MLB history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit.
The Red Sox faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. The Cardinals recorded an MLB-best 105 wins that season, and all signs pointed toward a competitive series.
Boston’s momentum was too much to overcome, though. The Red Sox won Game 1 after taking the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning off a Mark Bellhorn two-run home run. They would win the following three games by at least three runs, with Derek Lowe, Bronson Arroyo, Alan Embree and Keith Foulke combining for a four-hit shutout.
Manny Ramirez was named MVP after going 7-of-17 at the plate with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored. Four other starters, Bellhorn, David Ortiz, Trot Nixon and Bill Mueller, also finished the series with at least a .400 on-base percentage.
The Red Sox have won two World Series titles since 2004, with the most recent coming in 2013.
Next: 26. Toronto Blue Jays vs. Atlanta Braves, 1992