2004 New York Yankees
Table of Contents
Follow Us| The final standing | Lost the ALCS to the Red Sox |
| Regular season record | 101–61 (.623) |
| Post-season record | 6-5 |
| Divisional rank | 1st |
| ALDS record and opponent | Won 3-1 vs Minnesota Twins |
| AL rank | 1 |
| ALCS record and opponent | Lost 3-4 vs Boston Red Sox |
| World Series record and opponent | Did not play |
| Manager | Joe Torre |
| Captain | Derek Jeter |
| Top batter | Home runs: Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield (36), Hideki Matsui (31), Derek Jeter (23) BA: Hideki Matsui (.298), Derek Jeter, Miguel Cairo (.292), Gary Sheffield (.290) Runs: Gary Sheffield (117), Alex Rodriguez (112), Derek Jeter (111), Hideki Matsui (109) RBI: Gary Sheffield (121), Hideki Matsui (108), Alex Rodriguez (106) |
| Top pitcher/ (W-L, ERA) | Jon Lieber: 14-8, 4.33 Javier Vazquez: 14-10, 4.33 Mike Mussina: 12-9, 4.59 |
| Attendance record | 3,775,292 (1st of 14) |
2004 New York Yankees season: A brief summary
Opening the season with two games in Japan against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the 2004 New York Yankees showcased their dominance throughout the regular season, finishing with an impressive record of 101-61, securing their third consecutive season of 100+ wins—a franchise first.
Under the seasoned guidance of manager Joe Torre, the team’s success in the playoffs started with a convincing victory over the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS, winning 3 games to 1. However, the narrative took an unexpected turn in the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox, marking a pivotal moment in baseball history. The 2004 New York Yankees, after taking a commanding 3-0 lead, suffered an unprecedented collapse, losing four straight games to the Red Sox, who eventually went on to become the World Series champions.
July brought a defining moment etched in Yankees lore when Derek Jeter‘s iconic dive into the stands during a game against the Boston Red Sox showcased the captain’s unwavering commitment. This remarkable play would forever be remembered as “the dive,” capturing the essence of the 2004 New York Yankees’s fighting spirit.
August, however, was not without its challenges, as the 2004 New York Yankees suffered their worst loss in history by run differential, a humbling 22-0 defeat to the Cleveland Indians on August 31. Despite this setback, the team demonstrated resilience, and in September, they clinched their division, providing a glimmer of hope for the postseason.
The emotional rollercoaster of the season was encapsulated by the words of Yankees owner George M. Steinbrenner, expressing hope and a yearning for a championship for the city of New York. The season ended with the 2004 New York Yankees playing 162 games, winning 101, and finishing first in their division. Yankee Stadium echoed with the cheers of 3,775,292 fans who witnessed a team that, despite falling short in the playoffs, had left an indelible mark on the season.
The season narrative transcended the typical divisional rivalry, delving into the historical context of the Yankees’ championship legacy. While the Boston Red Sox celebrated their recent World Series victory, the Yankees fans, accustomed to success, were left grappling with the unfulfilled expectation of adding another championship to their storied collection. In New York, winning is not just a miracle; it’s an expectation deeply rooted in the team’s illustrious history, making each season’s outcome a reflection of a rich legacy that stretches back to the days of Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle, and beyond.
The colossal collapse of 2004 New York Yankees
The 2004 Yankee season, eternally etched in history as “The Colossal Collapse,” unfolded as the darkest chapter in the team’s storied legacy. The heartbreak reached its zenith when the Boston Red Sox, against all odds, climbed the steepest postseason slope by overcoming a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS, ultimately seizing victory at Yankee Stadium. In front of a shocked audience of 56,129, Johnny Damon, David Ortiz, and Mark Bellhorn, fueled by an unstoppable momentum, orchestrated a 10-3 Game 7 triumph that shattered the Yankees’ dreams.
For a team accustomed to 26 World Series victories, this colossal collapse surpassed any prior disappointments. The 2004 New York Yankees’ pain was visceral, and the echoes of Aaron Boone’s heroic home run against the Red Sox in the previous year’s ALCS seemed a distant memory. The defeat felt like a seismic shift as if 40 years had passed since their last World Series crown in 2000.
The emotional toll was exacerbated by the fact that the Red Sox, the eternal rivals from the AL East, were the architects of this historic comeback. Just days earlier, the 2004 New York Yankees were on the verge of a sweep, three outs away from dispatching their blood rivals. Now, the Red Sox danced on the hallowed grounds of Yankee Stadium, marking their first World Series appearance since 1986.
The collapse was a poignant manifestation of the questions surrounding the 2004 New York Yankees’ starting pitching throughout the season. The lethal combination of Kevin Brown’s subpar performance, Javier Vazquez’s struggles, and Tom Gordon’s inability to contain the Red Sox’s onslaught sealed the Yankees’ fate. Brown, entrusted by manager Joe Torre, crumbled under the pressure, surrendering five runs in a mere 1 1/3 innings. Vazquez called upon to salvage the situation, faced a bases-loaded scenario, and succumbed to Johnny Damon’s grand slam, widening the deficit.
As the Red Sox celebrated on the same turf where Aaron Boone’s heroics unfolded the previous year, the 2004 New York Yankees found themselves grappling with the weight of missed opportunities. The Yankees, once the epitome of postseason dominance, had faltered when it mattered most. The pain was palpable in Derek Jeter’s words, acknowledging that the Yankees simply didn’t deserve to win.
While the Red Sox embarked on a jubilant journey to the World Series, the 2004 New York Yankees were left to reflect on the colossal collapse that would forever stain the 2004 season. The defeat went beyond the immediate disappointment; it questioned the identity of the team and left a lingering sense of unfulfilled expectations in the hearts of the fans who, in New York, view winning not just as a miracle but as an expectation ingrained in the very fabric of Yankees history.
ALDS Result
Yankees 3-1 Twins
| # | Date | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Location | Attendance | Record |
| 1 | October 5 | Twins | 0–2 | Santana (1–0) | Mussina (0–1) | Nathan (1) | Yankee Stadium | 55,749 | 0–1 |
| 2 | October 6 | Twins | 7–6 (12) | Quantrill (1–0) | Nathan (0–1) | — | Yankee Stadium | 56,354 | 1–1 |
| 3 | October 8 | @ Twins | 8–4 | Brown (1–0) | Silva (0–1) | — | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 54,803 | 2–1 |
| 4 | October 9 | @ Twins | 6–5 (11) | Rivera (1–0) | Lohse (0–1) | — | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 52,498 | 3–1 |
ALCS Result
Yankees 3-4 Red Sox
| # | Date | Opponent | Score | Win | Loss | Save | Location | Attendance | Record | |
| 1 | October 12 | Red Sox | 10–7 | Mussina (1–0) | Schilling (0–1) | Rivera (1) | Yankee Stadium | 56,135 | 1–0 | |
| 2 | October 13 | Red Sox | 3–1 | Lieber (1–0) | Martinez (0–1) | Rivera (2) | Yankee Stadium | 56,136 | 2–0 | |
| – | October 15 | @ Red Sox | Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for October 16 | |||||||
| 3 | October 16 | @ Red Sox | 19–8 | Vazquez (1–0) | Mendoza (0–1) | — | Fenway Park | 35,126 | 3–0 | |
| 4 | October 17 | @ Red Sox | 4–6 (12) | Leskanic (1–0) | Quantrill (0–1) | — | Fenway Park | 34,826 | 3–1 | |
| 5 | October 18 | @ Red Sox | 4–5 (14) | Wakefield (1–0) | Loaiza (0–1) | — | Fenway Park | 35,120 | 3–2 | |
| 6 | October 19 | Red Sox | 2–4 | Schilling (1–1) | Lieber (1–1) | Foulke (1) | Yankee Stadium | 56,128 | 3–3 | |
| 7 | October 20 | Red Sox | 3–10 | Lowe (1–0) | Brown (0–1) | — | Yankee Stadium | 56,129 | 3–4 | |
World Series
(Didn’t play)
2004 New York Yankees roster
| Name | Age | B | T | Ht | Wt | DoB | Yrs | G | GS | WAR | Salary |
| Kevin Brown | 39 | R | R | 6′ 4″ | 195 | Mar 14, 1965 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 2.8 | $15,714,286 |
| Homer Bush | 31 | R | R | 5′ 10″ | 180 | Nov 12, 1972 | 7 | 9 | 2 | -0.2 | |
| Miguel Cairo | 30 | R | R | 6′ 1″ | 225 | May 4, 1974 | 9 | 122 | 103 | 1.2 | $900,000 |
| Tony Clark | 32 | B | R | 6′ 8″ | 205 | Jun 15, 1972 | 10 | 106 | 64 | 0.2 | $750,000 |
| José Contreras | 32 | R | R | 6′ 4″ | 255 | Dec 6, 1971 | 2 | 18 | 18 | 0 | $8,500,000 |
| Bubba Crosby | 27 | L | L | 5′ 11″ | 180 | Aug 11, 1976 | 2 | 55 | 6 | -0.5 | $301,400 |
| Jorge De Paula | 25 | R | R | 6′ 1″ | 160 | Nov 10, 1978 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | $302,550 |
| Felix Escalona | 25 | R | R | 6′ 0″ | 185 | Mar 12, 1979 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | |
| John Flaherty | 36 | R | R | 6′ 1″ | 195 | Oct 21, 1967 | 13 | 47 | 35 | -0.1 | $775,000 |
| Jason Giambi | 33 | L | R | 6′ 3″ | 240 | Jan 8, 1971 | 10 | 80 | 75 | -0.1 | $12,428,571 |
| Tom Gordon | 36 | R | R | 5′ 9″ | 160 | Nov 18, 1967 | 16 | 80 | 0 | 4 | $3,500,000 |
| Alex Graman | 26 | L | L | 6′ 4″ | 210 | Nov 17, 1977 | 1st | 3 | 2 | -0.4 | |
| Brad Halsey | 23 | L | L | 6′ 1″ | 185 | Feb 14, 1981 | 1st | 8 | 7 | -0.2 | |
| Felix Heredia | 29 | L | L | 6′ 0″ | 180 | Jun 18, 1975 | 9 | 47 | 0 | -0.2 | $1,800,000 |
| Orlando Hernandez | 38 | R | R | 6′ 2″ | 210 | Oct 11, 1965 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 2.8 | $500,000 |
| Derek Jeter HOF | 30 | R | R | 6′ 3″ | 195 | Jun 26, 1974 | 10 | 154 | 154 | 4.2 | $18,600,000 |
| Steve Karsay | 32 | R | R | 6′ 3″ | 210 | Mar 24, 1972 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0.1 | $6,000,000 |
| Travis Lee | 29 | L | L | 6′ 3″ | 205 | May 26, 1975 | 7 | 7 | 4 | -0.3 | $2,000,000 |
| Jon Lieber | 34 | L | R | 6′ 3″ | 220 | Apr 2, 1970 | 10 | 27 | 27 | 2.9 | $2,700,000 |
| Esteban Loaiza | 32 | R | R | 6′ 2″ | 230 | Dec 31, 1971 | 10 | 10 | 6 | -1 | |
| Kenny Lofton | 37 | L | L | 6′ 0″ | 180 | May 31, 1967 | 14 | 83 | 70 | 1.4 | $3,100,000 |
| Sam Marsonek | 25 | R | R | 6′ 6″ | 225 | Jul 10, 1978 | 1st | 1 | 0 | 0.1 | |
| Hideki Matsui | 30 | L | R | 6′ 2″ | 210 | Jun 12, 1974 | 2 | 162 | 162 | 5 | $7,000,000 |
| Mike Mussina HOF | 35 | L | R | 6′ 2″ | 185 | Dec 8, 1968 | 14 | 27 | 27 | 2.4 | $16,000,000 |
| Dioner Navarro | 20 | B | R | 5′ 9″ | 215 | Feb 9, 1984 | 1st | 5 | 1 | 0.1 | |
| C.J. Nitkowski | 31 | L | L | 6′ 2″ | 185 | Mar 9, 1973 | 9 | 19 | 0 | -0.2 | |
| John Olerud | 35 | L | L | 6′ 5″ | 205 | Aug 5, 1968 | 16 | 49 | 47 | 0.6 | |
| Donovan Osborne | 35 | B | L | 6′ 2″ | 195 | Jun 21, 1969 | 9 | 9 | 2 | -0.3 | $450,000 |
| Juan Padilla | 27 | R | R | 6′ 0″ | 210 | Feb 17, 1977 | 1st | 6 | 0 | 0.2 | |
| Andy Phillips | 27 | R | R | 6′ 0″ | 205 | Apr 6, 1977 | 1st | 5 | 2 | 0.1 | |
| Jorge Posada | 33 | B | R | 6′ 2″ | 215 | Aug 17, 1970 | 10 | 137 | 126 | 3.5 | $9,000,000 |
| Bret Prinz | 27 | R | R | 6′ 3″ | 185 | Jun 15, 1977 | 4 | 26 | 0 | 0.1 | |
| Scott Proctor | 27 | R | R | 6′ 1″ | 195 | Jan 2, 1977 | 1st | 26 | 0 | -0.1 | |
| Paul Quantrill | 35 | L | R | 6′ 1″ | 175 | Nov 3, 1968 | 13 | 86 | 0 | 0.7 | $3,000,000 |
| Mariano Rivera HOF | 34 | R | R | 6′ 2″ | 195 | Nov 29, 1969 | 10 | 74 | 0 | 4.2 | $10,890,000 |
| Alex Rodriguez | 28 | R | R | 6′ 3″ | 230 | Jul 27, 1975 | 11 | 155 | 155 | 7.6 | $22,000,000 |
| Gary Sheffield | 35 | R | R | 5′ 11″ | 190 | Nov 18, 1968 | 17 | 154 | 154 | 4.2 | $13,000,000 |
| Ruben Sierra | 38 | B | R | 6′ 1″ | 175 | Oct 6, 1965 | 18 | 107 | 76 | 0.1 | $1,000,000 |
| Tanyon Sturtze | 33 | R | R | 6′ 5″ | 190 | Oct 12, 1970 | 9 | 28 | 3 | 0.2 | |
| Javier Vazquez | 27 | R | R | 6′ 2″ | 210 | Jul 25, 1976 | 7 | 32 | 32 | 2.6 | $9,000,000 |
| Gabe White | 32 | L | L | 6′ 2″ | 200 | Nov 20, 1971 | 10 | 24 | 0 | -0.5 | $1,925,000 |
| Bernie Williams | 35 | B | R | 6′ 2″ | 180 | Sep 13, 1968 | 14 | 148 | 143 | 0.9 | $12,357,143 |
| Enrique Wilson | 30 | B | R | 5′ 11″ | 160 | Jul 27, 1973 | 8 | 93 | 68 | -2.1 | $700,000 |
2004 New York Yankees additions, transactions, and trades
November
- Fernando Seguignol’s player rights were sold to Nippon Ham Fighters (Japan Pacific).
- November 2, 2003: Antonio Osuna, David Wells, and Gabe White became Free Agents.
- November 6, 2003: Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte became Free Agents.
- November 7, 2003: Felix Heredia became a Free Agent.
December
- December 4, 2003: Signed Felix Heredia as a free agent.
- December 7, 2003: Signed Ruben Sierra and Gabe White as free agents.
- December 13, 2003: Traded for Kevin Brown, sending Brandon Weeden (minors), Yhency Brazoban, Jeff Weaver, and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- December 15, 2003: Colter Bean was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 2003 rule 5 draft. John Flaherty was signed as a free agent.
- December 16, 2003: Signed Tom Gordon as a free agent. Traded Randy Choate, Nick Johnson, and Juan Rivera to the Montreal Expos for Javier Vazquez.
- December 17, 2003: Signed Paul Quantrill as a free agent.
- December 18, 2003: Traded Chris Hammond and cash to the Oakland Athletics for Eduardo Sierra (minors) and J.T. Stotts (minors).
- December 19, 2003: Signed Miguel Cairo and Gary Sheffield as free agents.
- December 20, 2003: Signed Homer Bush as a free agent.
- December 23, 2003: Signed Buddy Carlyle as a free agent.
January
- January 6, 2004: Signed Kenny Lofton as a free agent.
- January 8, 2004: Michel Hernandez was selected by the Boston Red Sox off waivers.
- January 12, 2004: Signed Tony Clark as a free agent.
- January 14, 2004: Signed Sal Fasano and Jim Mann as free agents.
- January 28, 2004: Signed Darren Bragg and Tyler Houston as free agents.
February
- February 1, 2004: Signed Steve Torrealba as a free agent.
- February 3, 2004: Signed Mike Kelly as a free agent.
- February 4, 2004: Signed Joe Girardi as a free agent.
- February 5, 2004: Traded Jose Garcia (minors) to the Texas Rangers, receiving Mike Lamb.
- February 7, 2004: Signed Donovan Osborne as a free agent.
- February 10, 2004: Signed Juan Alvarez as a free agent.
- February 16, 2004: Traded a player to be named later and Alfonso Soriano to the Texas Rangers for Alex Rodriguez and cash (completed with Joaquin Arias sent to the Rangers on (April 23, 2004).
- February 25, 2004: Signed Nerio Rodriguez and Eduardo Núñez as free agents.
March
- March 1, 2004: Released Aaron Boone.
- March 2, 2004: Signed Travis Lee as a free agent.
- March 4, 2004: Signed Hansel Izquierdo and John Rodriguez as free agents.
- March 9, 2004: Signed Mike Thurman as a free agent.
- March 12, 2004: Signed Orlando Hernandez as a free agent.
- March 18, 2004: The Boston Red Sox returned Colter Bean (earlier draft pick).
- March 25, 2004: Traded Mike Lamb to the Houston Astros, receiving Juan De Leon (minors).
- March 26, 2004: Released Erick Almonte.
- March 30, 2004: Signed Felix Escalona as a free agent.
April
- April 3, 2004: Released Juan Alvarez.
- April 16, 2004: Released Corey Lee.
- April 28, 2004: Released Steve Torrealba.
May
- May 15, 2004: Traded Brian Myrow to the Los Angeles Dodgers, receiving Tanyon Sturtze.
- May 19, 2004: Signed Scott Wiggins as a free agent.
- May 21, 2004: Signed Craig Wilson as a free agent.
- May 26, 2004: Selected Kevin Hooper off waivers from the Florida Marlins.
- May 27, 2004: Released Donovan Osborne.
- May 28, 2004: Signed Carlos Reyes as a free agent.
June
- June 1, 2004: Selected Jason Anderson off waivers from the Cleveland Indians.
- June 7, 2004: Drafted Phil Hughes in the 1st round (23rd pick) of the 2004 amateur draft. Also drafted Jeff Marquez in the 1st round (41st pick), Christian Garcia in the 3rd round, and Mike Dunn in the 33rd round of the 2004 amateur draft.
- June 8, 2004: Signed Justin Kaye as a free agent. Released Hansel Izquierdo.
- June 15, 2004: Sent Nerio Rodriguez to the St. Louis Cardinals as part of a conditional deal. Released Jim Mann.
- June 18, 2004: Traded Gabe White to the Cincinnati Reds, receiving Charlie Manning and cash.
- June 25, 2004: Released Justin Kaye.
- June 26, 2004: Released Scott Wiggins.
July
- July 2, 2004: Released Darren Bragg.
- July 14, 2004: Purchased Justin Christian from River City (Frontier).
- July 15, 2004: Signed Iván Nova as an amateur free agent.
- July 19, 2004: Signed C.J. Nitkowski as a free agent.
- July 22, 2004: Signed Donzell McDonald as a free agent.
- July 31, 2004: Traded José Contreras and cash to the Chicago White Sox, receiving Esteban Loaiza.
August
- August 2, 2004: Signed Dave Elder as a free agent. Purchased Lance Davis from Long Island (Atlantic).
- August 3, 2004: Signed John Olerud as a free agent.
- August 6, 2004: Released Kevin Hooper.
- August 12, 2004: Signed Jose Tabata as an amateur free agent.
- August 17, 2004: Signed Shane Spencer as a free agent.
September
- September 3, 2004: Juan Padilla was selected by the Cincinnati Reds off waivers.
- September 16, 2004: Released Lance Davis.
October
- October 15, 2004: Homer Bush, Buddy Carlyle, Dave Elder, Mike Kelly, Donzell McDonald, Carlos Reyes, John Rodriguez, Shane Spencer, Mike Vento, and Craig Wilson became Free Agents. Sal Fasano was released.
2004 New York Yankees player debuts
- Alex Graman – 04-20-2004 – 26 years old
- Brad Halsey – 06-19-2004 – 23 years old
- Sam Marsonek – 07-11-2004 – 26 years old
- Dioner Navarro – 09-07-2004 – 20 years old
- Juan Padilla – 07-16-2004 – 27 years old
- Andy Phillips – 09-14-2004 – 27 years old
- Scott Proctor – 04-20-2004 – 27 years old
2004 New York Yankees team stats (batting)
| Pos | Name | Age | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | BA |
| C | Jorge Posada | 33 | 137 | 547 | 449 | 72 | 122 | 31 | 0 | 21 | 81 | 1 | 3 | 88 | 92 | 0.272 |
| 1B | Tony Clark | 32 | 106 | 283 | 253 | 37 | 56 | 12 | 0 | 16 | 49 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 92 | 0.221 |
| 2B | Miguel Cairo | 30 | 122 | 408 | 360 | 48 | 105 | 17 | 5 | 6 | 42 | 11 | 3 | 18 | 49 | 0.292 |
| SS | Derek Jeter | 30 | 154 | 721 | 643 | 111 | 188 | 44 | 1 | 23 | 78 | 23 | 4 | 46 | 99 | 0.292 |
| 3B | Alex Rodriguez | 28 | 155 | 698 | 601 | 112 | 172 | 24 | 2 | 36 | 106 | 28 | 4 | 80 | 131 | 0.286 |
| LF | Hideki Matsui | 30 | 162 | 680 | 584 | 109 | 174 | 34 | 2 | 31 | 108 | 3 | 0 | 88 | 103 | 0.298 |
| CF | Bernie Williams | 35 | 148 | 651 | 561 | 105 | 147 | 29 | 1 | 22 | 70 | 1 | 5 | 85 | 96 | 0.262 |
| RF | Gary Sheffield | 35 | 154 | 684 | 573 | 117 | 166 | 30 | 1 | 36 | 121 | 5 | 6 | 92 | 83 | 0.29 |
| DH | Ruben Sierra | 38 | 107 | 338 | 307 | 40 | 75 | 12 | 1 | 17 | 65 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 55 | 0.244 |
| 1B | Jason Giambi | 33 | 80 | 322 | 264 | 33 | 55 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 40 | 0 | 1 | 47 | 62 | 0.208 |
| CF | Kenny Lofton | 37 | 83 | 313 | 276 | 51 | 76 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 18 | 7 | 3 | 31 | 27 | 0.275 |
| 2B | Enrique Wilson | 30 | 93 | 262 | 240 | 19 | 51 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 20 | 0.213 |
| 1B | John Olerud | 35 | 49 | 188 | 164 | 16 | 46 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 20 | 0.28 |
| C | John Flaherty | 36 | 47 | 135 | 127 | 11 | 32 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 25 | 0.252 |
| OF | Bubba Crosby | 27 | 55 | 58 | 53 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 0.151 |
| 1B | Travis Lee | 29 | 7 | 20 | 19 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0.105 |
| SS | Felix Escalona | 25 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 3B | Andy Phillips | 27 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.25 |
| 2B | Homer Bush | 31 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| C | Dioner Navarro | 20 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.429 |
| Team Totals | 32.4 | 162 | 6364 | 5527 | 897 | 1483 | 281 | 20 | 242 | 863 | 84 | 33 | 670 | 982 | 0.268 | |
| Rank in 14 AL teams | 13 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 8 |
The team stats (pitching)
| Pos | Name | Age | W | L | W-L% | ERA | G | GS | GF | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER |
| SP | Javier Vazquez | 27 | 14 | 10 | 0.583 | 4.91 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 198 | 195 | 114 | 108 |
| SP | Jon Lieber | 34 | 14 | 8 | 0.636 | 4.33 | 27 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 176.2 | 216 | 95 | 85 |
| SP | Mike Mussina | 35 | 12 | 9 | 0.571 | 4.59 | 27 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 164.2 | 178 | 91 | 84 |
| SP | Kevin Brown | 39 | 10 | 6 | 0.625 | 4.09 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 132 | 132 | 65 | 60 |
| SP | José Contreras | 32 | 8 | 5 | 0.615 | 5.64 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 95.2 | 93 | 66 | 60 |
| SP | Orlando Hernandez | 38 | 8 | 2 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 84.2 | 73 | 31 | 31 |
| CL | Mariano Rivera | 34 | 4 | 2 | 0.667 | 1.94 | 74 | 0 | 69 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 78.2 | 65 | 17 | 17 |
| RP | Paul Quantrill | 35 | 7 | 3 | 0.7 | 4.72 | 86 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 95.1 | 124 | 54 | 50 |
| RP | Tom Gordon | 36 | 9 | 4 | 0.692 | 2.21 | 80 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 89.2 | 56 | 23 | 22 |
| RP | Tanyon Sturtze | 33 | 6 | 2 | 0.75 | 5.47 | 28 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 77.1 | 75 | 49 | 47 |
| RP | Felix Heredia | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 6.28 | 47 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38.2 | 44 | 28 | 27 |
| Esteban Loaiza | 32 | 1 | 2 | 0.333 | 8.5 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42.1 | 61 | 43 | 40 | |
| Brad Halsey | 23 | 1 | 3 | 0.25 | 6.47 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 41 | 26 | 23 | |
| Bret Prinz | 27 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5.08 | 26 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28.1 | 28 | 17 | 16 | |
| Scott Proctor | 27 | 2 | 1 | 0.667 | 5.4 | 26 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 29 | 18 | 15 | |
| Gabe White | 32 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8.27 | 24 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20.2 | 33 | 19 | 19 | |
| Donovan Osborne | 35 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7.13 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17.2 | 25 | 16 | 14 | |
| C.J. Nitkowski | 31 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 7.62 | 19 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 18 | 11 | 11 | |
| Juan Padilla | 27 | 0 | 0 | 3.97 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11.1 | 16 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Jorge De Paula | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 5 | |
| Steve Karsay | 32 | 0 | 0 | 2.7 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | ||
| Alex Graman | 26 | 0 | 0 | 19.8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 11 | 11 | ||
| Sam Marsonek | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Team Totals | 33 | 101 | 61 | 0.623 | 4.69 | 162 | 162 | 161 | 1 | 0 | 59 | 1443.2 | 1532 | 808 | 752 | |
| Rank in 14 AL teams | 1 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 12 | 1 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 6 |
2004 New York Yankees record vs. opponents/ team splits
| Opponent (Games) | Won | Lost | WP |
| Anaheim Angels (9) | 4 | 5 | 0.444 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks (3) | 2 | 1 | 0.667 |
| Baltimore Orioles (19) | 14 | 5 | 0.737 |
| Boston Red Sox (19) | 8 | 11 | 0.421 |
| Chicago White Sox (7) | 4 | 3 | 0.571 |
| Cleveland Indians (6) | 4 | 2 | 0.667 |
| Colorado Rockies (3) | 3 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Detroit Tigers (7) | 3 | 4 | 0.429 |
| Kansas City Royals (6) | 5 | 1 | 0.833 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers (3) | 1 | 2 | 0.333 |
| Minnesota Twins (6) | 4 | 2 | 0.667 |
| New York Mets (6) | 2 | 4 | 0.333 |
| Oakland Athletics (9) | 7 | 2 | 0.778 |
| San Diego Padres (3) | 2 | 1 | 0.667 |
| Seattle Mariners (9) | 6 | 3 | 0.667 |
| Tampa Bay Devil Rays (19) | 15 | 4 | 0.789 |
| Texas Rangers (9) | 5 | 4 | 0.556 |
| Toronto Blue Jays (19) | 12 | 7 | 0.632 |
2004 New York Yankees monthly record
| Month (Games) | Won | Lost | WP |
| March (2) | 1 | 1 | 0.500 |
| April (21) | 11 | 10 | 0.524 |
| May (26) | 18 | 8 | 0.692 |
| June (26) | 19 | 7 | 0.731 |
| July (28) | 16 | 12 | 0.571 |
| August (28) | 16 | 12 | 0.571 |
| September (28) | 19 | 9 | 0.679 |
| October (3) | 1 | 2 | 0.333 |
2004 New York Yankees All-Stars
- Jason Giambi
- Alex Rodriguez
- Derek Jeter
- Mariano Rivera
- Javier Vasquez
- Hideki Matsui
- Gary Sheffield
2004 New York Yankees awards and honors
- Gold Glove Award: Derek Jeter
- Silver Slugger Award: Gary Sheffield
- Relief Man Award: Mariano Rivera
Other Achievements
- Gary Sheffield finished 2nd in AL MVP Voting.
- Mariano Rivera finished 9th in AL MVP Voting.
- Mariano Rivera finished 3rd in AL Cy Young Voting.
- Joe Torre finished 4th in AL Manager of the Year Voting.
A-Rod’s Arrival: Shifting 2004 New York Yankees fortunes with a blockbuster trade
The blockbuster trade that brought Alex Rodriguez to the New York Yankees in 2004 was a seismic shift not just in the Yankees’ lineup but in the dynamic of the fierce Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. A-Rod, widely regarded as one of the best players in the game, was a significant acquisition that had far-reaching implications for both teams.
The trade, announced on Valentine’s Day and finalized on Presidents’ Day weekend, was a strategic move by the 2004 New York Yankees to address the void left by Aaron Boone’s injury, sustained in an offseason pickup basketball game. Rodriguez, originally a shortstop, agreed to transition to third base to accommodate Derek Jeter, the Yankees’ elite shortstop. The move not only solidified the Yankees’ infield but also added a powerful offensive force to their lineup.
Interestingly, the Red Sox had also pursued Rodriguez, offering their star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra in a trade. However, the deal with the Rangers fell apart, leading Rodriguez to the Yankees. The trade intensified the already heated rivalry between the two teams, with Rodriguez becoming a lightning rod for the animosity between the fan bases.
In Boston, the mood was somber, still reeling from the aftermath of Aaron Boone’s dramatic home run in the previous year’s ALCS. The sentiment in the city was that Rodriguez going to the Yankees marked the end of everything, with the Yankees evolving into an even more formidable “Evil Empire” in the eyes of Red Sox fans. The trade fueled the perception that the balance of power had tilted irreversibly in favor of the Yankees.
However, history took an unexpected turn. Since the Rodriguez trade, the Red Sox experienced a resurgence, winning four World Series championships in the 21st century, compared to the Yankees’ lone title in 2009. The narrative shifted, and the Rodriguez trade, initially seen as a blow to the Red Sox, became a catalyst for their success.
The irony was not lost on the baseball world. The best trades, it turned out, were often the ones that never happened. The Rodriguez saga, which could have drastically altered the course of both teams, highlighted the unpredictability of baseball and the influence of external factors, such as the MLB Players Association, which played a role in Rodriguez’s ultimate destination.
As the 2004 New York Yankees season unfolded, Rodriguez found himself embroiled in a famous Fenway Park fight with Jason Varitek, adding more fuel to the intense rivalry. Yet, despite the drama, the Red Sox would go on to achieve one of the greatest comebacks in postseason history, erasing a 3-0 deficit against the Yankees in the ALCS. The season’s narrative was a complex interplay of highs and lows, from the colossal collapse to the unforeseen success that followed, with the A-Rod trade serving as a pivotal chapter in the Yankees’ tumultuous journey.
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