The Immortal 2004 Red Sox Roster: Where Are The Curse-Breakers Now, 20 Years Later?

Two decades later, the 2004 Boston Red Sox remain one of the most legendary teams in sports history, not just for winning the World Series, but for the almost mythical journey they took to get there. As of late 2024, the memory of that team is more vibrant than ever, especially after celebrating the 20th anniversary of their triumph.

This was the roster that finally shattered the 86-year-old "Curse of the Bambino" with a stunning, unprecedented comeback in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against their fiercest rival, the New York Yankees. The players on this list are immortalized in Boston lore, transforming from athletes to cultural icons overnight.

The Full 2004 Boston Red Sox Roster and Biography

The 2004 Red Sox team featured a compelling mix of established superstars, savvy veterans, and key mid-season acquisitions that completed the puzzle. They finished the regular season with a 98-64 record, securing the American League Wild Card spot. The following is a comprehensive look at the players and key personnel who made history.

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Key Position Players & Infielders

• David Ortiz ("Big Papi"): Designated Hitter/First Base. A true superstar and the heart of the team, he was the ALCS MVP.
• Manny Ramirez ("Manny Being Manny"): Left Fielder. World Series MVP, known for his eccentric personality and incredible hitting ability.
• Jason Varitek ("Tek"): Catcher. Team captain and leader, spent his entire 15-year career with the Red Sox.
• Kevin Millar: First Base/DH. Known for his "Cowboy Up" attitude and clubhouse presence.
• Mark Bellhorn: Second Base. Had a crucial role in the postseason with timely hits and walks.
• Bill Mueller: Third Base. The AL batting champion in 2003, he provided steady defense and clutch hitting.
• Orlando Cabrera: Shortstop. Acquired mid-season from the Montreal Expos, he stabilized the infield after the trade of Nomar Garciaparra.
• Nomar Garciaparra: Shortstop. Traded mid-season to the Chicago Cubs in a four-team deal that brought back Orlando Cabrera.
• Doug Mientkiewicz: First Base. Acquired in the same trade as Cabrera, he was the player who secured the final out ball of the World Series.
• Kevin Youkilis: First Base/Third Base. A rookie who provided versatility and energy.
• Dave McCarty: First Base.
• César Crespo: Infielder.
• Ricky Gutiérrez: Infielder.

Outfielders

• Johnny Damon ("Caveman"): Center Field. Leadoff hitter, known for his long hair and speed.
• Trot Nixon: Right Field. A homegrown player and fan favorite known for his grit.
• Gabe Kapler: Outfielder. Provided depth and speed off the bench.
• Dave Roberts: Outfielder. His single, iconic stolen base in the ALCS changed the course of history.
• Ellis Burks: Outfielder.

Pitchers (Starting & Relief)

• Curt Schilling: Starting Pitcher. The ace of the staff, famous for his "bloody sock" performance in the ALCS Game 6.
• Pedro Martínez ("Pedro"): Starting Pitcher. A future Hall of Famer who was dominant in the early 2000s.
• Derek Lowe: Starting/Relief Pitcher. Pitched the decisive Game 7 of the ALCS and the World Series clincher.
• Tim Wakefield: Knuckleball Pitcher. A beloved veteran and long-time Red Sox fixture.
• Keith Foulke: Closer. The team's reliable closer who got the final out of the World Series.
• Bronson Arroyo: Starting Pitcher. Provided crucial innings in the rotation.
• Mike Timlin: Relief Pitcher. A veteran setup man who was a key part of the bullpen.
• Alan Embree: Relief Pitcher. A left-handed specialist in the bullpen.
• Jeff Suppan: Starting Pitcher.
• Ramiro Mendoza: Relief Pitcher.
• Mike Myers: Relief Pitcher.

Coaching and Front Office

• Terry Francona ("Tito"): Manager.
• Theo Epstein: General Manager. The youngest GM in MLB history to win a World Series.

The Greatest Comeback Ever: The 2004 ALCS Miracle

The 2004 Red Sox team’s legacy is defined by a single, unbelievable event: the American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the New York Yankees. The Yankees took a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, a deficit no team in MLB history had ever overcome.

In Game 4, down 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth inning to Mariano Rivera, Kevin Millar drew a walk. Dave Roberts was then inserted as a pinch-runner. On the first pitch, Roberts stole second base—a moment often cited as the turning point that broke the Yankees’ spirit and the Red Sox’s curse. Bill Mueller followed with an RBI single to tie the game, which the Red Sox eventually won in the 12th inning on a David Ortiz home run.

Ortiz hit another walk-off home run in Game 5, and Curt Schilling pitched Game 6 with an ankle injury, his sock famously stained with blood, delivering a performance of sheer will. The Red Sox completed the unthinkable by routing the Yankees 10-3 in Game 7 at Yankee Stadium, becoming the first and only team in MLB history to win a seven-game series after trailing 3-0.

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Where Are the 2004 Red Sox Players Now? (2024 Update)

The 2024 MLB season marked the 20th anniversary of this iconic championship, leading to numerous reunions and updates on the players' post-baseball careers. Nearly 40 members of the 2004 team, including David Ortiz, Johnny Damon, Jason Varitek, and Bill Mueller, returned to Fenway Park for the home opener celebration in April 2024.

The reunion was particularly emotional as the team honored the late Tim Wakefield and his wife, Stacy, both of whom passed away in late 2023 and early 2024, respectively.

Current Roles and Post-Career Highlights:

• David Ortiz: Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022. He remains a prominent figure in the Red Sox organization and a popular media personality.
• Jason Varitek: Still with the Boston Red Sox organization, serving as a special assistant to the general manager.
• Kevin Millar: Works as a baseball analyst and television personality, often appearing on MLB Network, and still hosts the popular podcast "Intentional Talk."
• Doug Mientkiewicz: Pursued a coaching career, including managing minor league teams, and is now an avid fisherman in Florida.
• Dave Roberts: Has had a highly successful managerial career, currently serving as the manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• Bill Mueller: Has moved into coaching and front-office roles within MLB.
• Mike Myers: Works for the MLB Players Association in player services.
• Manny Ramirez: Remains an active figure in baseball, occasionally coaching and making appearances, reflecting on his remarkable career.
• Bronson Arroyo: The last active player from the 2004 team, he officially retired from baseball in 2017.

The Unsung Heroes and Lasting Legacy of the Curse-Breakers

While the heroics of David Ortiz, Curt Schilling's bloody sock, and Dave Roberts' steal dominate the headlines, the 2004 team was filled with unsung heroes who provided the necessary depth and stability.

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Players like Orlando Cabrera, who replaced Nomar Garciaparra, brought elite defense and a spark to the top of the lineup, which was crucial for the playoff push. Similarly, the bullpen, anchored by veterans Mike Timlin and Alan Embree, provided reliable bridge innings to closer Keith Foulke, who was lights-out in the postseason.

The team’s construction, masterminded by then-General Manager Theo Epstein, was a calculated risk, blending young talent like Youkilis with savvy acquisitions like Varitek and Millar. They were a team built on chemistry, grit, and a shared sense of destiny, a formula that finally ended the "Curse of the Bambino" with a clean sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. The 2004 Red Sox did not just win a championship; they changed the culture of an entire franchise and city forever.