The 2004 Major League Baseball season was unlike any other in my lifetime. The World Series was pure magic, legendary. It's the stuff that baseball dreams are made of.

Not only was the 2004 season historic in that it was the first time that the Boston Red Sox won the World Series since they defeated the Chicago Cubs four games to two in the 1918 World Series 86 years before, but it was also the 100th edition of the World Series.

Red Sox v Yankees Game 6
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A colorful cast of "idiots" would "Cowboy Up" in 2004, completely unaccepting of the common Fenway Park phrase "We'll get em' next year," and did the unthinkable: they won a World Series and broke the Curse of the Bambino in the process.

Division Series - Boston Red Sox v Cleveland Indians - Game Two
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The American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the Yankees in 2004 was better than the World Series. The Red Sox dug themselves out of a three-games-to-none deficit to win the seven-game series against their rivals. It was the first and last time that has happened in the postseason.

Boston went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in four games to win the World Series. It was anti-climatic after the Yankees series.

Texas Rangers vs Boston Red Sox - July 10, 2004
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There were many heroes that contributed to the ALCS and World Series wins in 2004, among them David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe, Johnny Damon, Kevin Millar, Tim Wakefield, Dave Roberts, Jason Varitek, Bill Mueller, Mark Bellhorn, and many others, some who started the season in Boston but finished elsewhere.

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Boston won the World Series again in 2007, 2013, and 2018 but nothing could compare to 2004.

Red Sox v Angels
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The Red Sox have had a rough time since their last World Series win. In 2019, the team finished 19 games back in third place. In 2020, the team finished last, 16 games back. Last season, Boston ended the season eight games out in second place. As of this writing, they are 12 games behind the Yankees in second place for the 2022 season.

Cleveland Indians vs Boston Red Sox - May 12, 2004
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The Boston Red Sox could benefit from one of those "idiots" from 2004 right about now. If you were able to bring one player from that 2004 championship team to Fenway today to straighten things out, who would it be?

New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox - July 23, 2004
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World Series: Red Sox v Cardinals Game 4
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World Series: Red Sox v Cardinals Game 4
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World Series: Red Sox v Cardinals Game 4
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LOOK: MLB history from the year you were born

Stacker compiled key moments from Major League Baseball's history over the past 100 years. Using a variety of sources from Major League Baseball (MLB) record books, the Baseball Hall of Fame, and audio and video from events, we've listed the iconic moments that shaped a sport and a nation. Read through to find out what happened in MLB history the year you were born.

LOOK: 50 images of winning moments from sports history

Sometimes images are the best way to honor the figures we've lost. When tragedy swiftly reminds us that sports are far from the most consequential thing in life, we can still look back on an athlete's winning moment that felt larger than life, remaining grateful for their sacrifice on the court and bringing joy to millions.

Read on to explore the full collection of 50 images Stacker compiled showcasing various iconic winning moments in sports history. Covering achievements from a multitude of sports, these images represent stunning personal achievements, team championships, and athletic perseverance.

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