THIS DAY IN BASEBALL October 18: David Ortiz 12th inning homer in 2004 ALCS spurs Boston’s historic 0-3 comeback

The Yankees were three outs away from their sixth pennant in the last seven years when on this day in beisbol, October 18, 2004, the Red Sox pulled off a miracle win to kickstart the greatest comeback in MLB postseason history.

It was also the beginning of Boston DH David Ortiz’s lasting legacy as arguably the most clutch postseason hitter ever.

Down three games to none and facing elimination against the Yankees in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS, Boston tied it in the bottom of the ninth against elite closer Mariano Rivera with a walk, a stolen base and a run-scoring single.

An ensuing battle of the bullpens ended when the Red Sox icon now known as “Big Papi” pulled a ball into the visitor’s bullpen in right field for a 5-4 victory.

The Red Sox would battle back with three more consecutive wins — including the last two at Yankee Stadium — to stun New York, and Ortiz played a huge role in practically every one of Boston’s victories.

In Game 5, Ortiz hit a homer in the eighth inning, then won it in the 14th inning with a bloop single for his second walk-off hit of the series.

He went hitless in Game 6, but hit another homer in Game 7 at Yankee Stadium, helping break the Curse of the Bambino and sending the Red Sox to their first world championship since 1918 when they swept the Cardinals.

Ortiz was, of course, named the ALCS MVP with 3 HR and 11 RBI, among the biggest highlights of his 16-year Hall of Fame career.

Parkerjh at the English language Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; LatinoBaseball.com illustration