Revisiting Jason Varitek and A-Rod's Fight in 2004 That Sparked Red Sox World Series Run
By Will Coleman
The arguable peak of the heated New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox rivalry was back in 2004, the same year that Boston snapped the Curse of the Bambino to earn its first World Series title in 86 years.
The AL East division rivals met on July 24, 2004, at Fenway Park when Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo threw at Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez's elbow, which ultimately led to a benches-clearing brawl. Sox catcher Jason Varitek stepped in between A-Rod and Arroyo, and the rest is history.
Rodriguez slowly made his way to first base, but not before sharing a few obsceneties with Arroyo and Varitek. Within a few seconds of Varitek slamming his glove in A-Rod's face, the benches emptied and multiple scrums broke out in foul territory.
The Red Sox came from behind on that day to beat the first-place Yankees 11-10 on a Bill Mueller walk-off homer, and many remember this brawl as the catalyst to Boston's playoff push that season. After the win, the Red Sox won 45 of their 65 remaining regular season contests to clinch a Wild Card spot. No longer intimidated by anyone, Boston then stormed back from a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS to upend New York again, and the Red Sox wound up claiming their sixth World Series title in franchise history, and their first in 86 long years.
Oh that's SO easy
— Shamz (@ShameenChris13) April 1, 2020
2004 World Series.
Red Sox won it 4-0 BUT the BEST part was embarrassing those Yankees when they were up 3-0 and we stormed ALL the way back to win in the ALCS.? WHAT a series and what a run for the Red Sox #BreakingTheCurse pic.twitter.com/DU0bHRwVHW
2004 was a season to remember for Boston fans, and it was all sparked by Varitek standing up for his team and getting in the face of A-Rod (without ever removing his mask).