After 5 hours, 49 minutes, and 471 pitches, the Red Sox outlast the Yankees, 5-4, in Game 5 of the league championship. Boston’s DH David Ortiz, who is the first player in baseball history to hit two walk-off home runs during the postseason, ends the longest game in ALCS history at 1:22 a.m. with a two-out single into center scoring Johnny Damon from second in the 14th inning at Fenway Park.
On October 3, 2004.00 On the last day of the season, Blue Jays television announcer John Cerutti is found dead in his SkyDome hotel room. The death of the 44 year-old Albany, N.Y. native, who was a former big league pitcher, is due to natural causes with foul play not being suspected.
On October 3, 2004 – The final game in Montreal Expos team history is played away from home, against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. New York defeats Montreal, 8 – 1. Jamey Carroll scores the final Expos run and Endy Chavez becomes the final Expos batter when he grounds out in the top…
Jeff Kent hits two round-trippers to become the all-time home run leader of second basemen. The Astros infielder records his 278th dinger and 302nd overall to break Ryne Sandberg’s major league record established in 1997.
Ichiro Suzuki, with the second of his two singles, a ground ball through the box, makes history, breaking the major league record for hits in a single season. The third-inning historic safety by the Mariner outfielder from Japan surpasses George Sisler’s 84 year-old mark of 257 hits established in 1920 with the St. Louis Browns. He will finish the season with 262 hits.
When he whiffs Albert Pujols in the 3-2 loss to the Cardinals, Ben Sheets breaks the Brewers’ single-season strikeout record. The 26 year-old Louisiana native surpasses Teddy Higuera’s mark of 240 established in 1987.
2004 – Connecting off Jake Peavy’s 3rd-inning slider at SBC Park, Barry Bonds hits his 700th career home run. The historic homer touches off a fireworks display and the unfurling of a gigantic light-tower banner featuring Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron, the two other players to reach the milestone.
Pitching a perfect bottom of the ninth inning, John Smoltz establishes the franchise record with his 142nd save in a Braves uniform. The right-handed reliever surpasses Gene Garber as Atlanta beat the Dodgers in Los Angeles, 6-5.
Greg Maddux wins his 300th career game
In front of thousands of fans outside Kauffman Stadium and those viewing the ceremony inside the ballpark on the JumboTron, the Royals unveil a bronze statue of Frank White, depicting the eight-time Gold Glove second baseman sailing over the bag to complete a double play. The detailed sculpture, created by Harry Weber of St. Louis, joins those of founders Ewing and Muriel Kauffman and Hall of Fame infielder George Brett as the third statue honoring the accomplishments of individuals within the franchise.