1986 American League Championship Series
Encyclopedia
The 1986
American League Championship Series
was a back-and-forth battle between the Boston Red Sox
and the California Angels
for the right to advance to the 1986 World Series
to face the winner of the 1986 National League Championship Series
. The Red Sox came in with a 95–66 record and the AL East division title, while the Angels went 92–70 during the regular season to win the AL West.
in Boston, Massachusetts
Angels left fielder Brian Downing
went 2-for-5 with four RBI and Mike Witt
pitched a five-hit complete game
, as California cruised to an 8–1 win.
in Boston, Massachusetts
The next day, the tables were turned. Bill Buckner
scored the winning run in the fifth inning on a Dwight Evans
double, and the Red Sox tacked on insurance runs in the seventh and eighth. Boston claimed a 9–2 victory and tied the series at one game apiece.
in Anaheim, California
In the seventh inning, Dick Schofield
homered for California to give the team a 2–1 lead. Gary Pettis
followed shortly thereafter with a two-run home run
of his own. The Halos won by a score of 5–3 and took a 2–1 series lead.
in Anaheim, California
Roger Clemens
, the Game 1 loser for the Red Sox, started Game 4, and was solid for most of the game. Boston put up a run in the sixth, and two more in the eighth on two hits, a wild pitch
, a passed ball
, and two errors, but left the bases loaded. In the bottom of the ninth, Doug DeCinces
led off with a home run. After the next batter grounded out, Schofield and Bob Boone
singled. After coming within two outs of a complete game, Clemens was removed, and Boone was replaced with a pinch runner
. Pettis, batting next, doubled to score Schofield. Ruppert Jones
was intentionally walked
to load the bases, a fatal mistake, as two batters later, Downing was hit by a pitch, bringing in the tying run.
Angels relief pitcher
Doug Corbett
pitched a perfect tenth and eleventh innings, and California broke through in the bottom of the eleventh. Jerry Narron
scored on Bobby Grich
's one-out single, giving California a 4–3 win and a 3–1 series lead.
in Anaheim, California
Heading into Game 5, California looked set to earn their first-ever trip to a World Series. Grich, the previous night's hero, homered to give the Halos a 3–2 lead in the sixth inning; Red Sox center fielder Dave Henderson
had tried to leap at the wall to catch Grich's long fly ball, but ended up deflecting it over the fence. Rob Wilfong
appeared to put the final nail in Boston's coffin with an RBI double in the seventh, and the Angels led 5–2 after eight innings.
In the ninth, Witt was two outs away from his second complete game victory of the series when Don Baylor
hit a two-strike, two-run home run to pull the Red Sox within one run. After retiring the next batter, Witt was replaced. Gary Lucas was brought in to face catcher Rich Gedman
who had been 3 for 3 in the game against Witt, including a double and a home run. Lucas, on the other hand, had a history of striking Gedman out. But with his very first pitch, Lucas hit batter Gedman, and was replaced by Donnie Moore
. The Angels closer brought his team within one strike of its first-ever AL pennant, but Henderson caught hold of a Moore forkball
and launched a home run into the left field stands, stunning the hometown crowd and greatly redeeming himself for his earlier miscue. Boston had taken a 6–5 lead.
The lead would not last, however, as in the bottom of the ninth, Boone singled, and Jones pinch-ran for him. Pettis sacrificed Jones to second, and Wilfong singled him home, tying the game. Schofield then singled, sending Wilfong to third, and Downing was intentionally walked to load the bases with only one out. All of Boston's top-half heroics would have been washed away with a mere sacrifice fly
at this point. But instead, DeCinces only managed to hit a short fly ball to right field. Grich's subsequent line-out to pitcher Steve Crawford
ended the inning.
The teams settled down and the tenth inning was again scoreless, but the Red Sox loaded the bases in the top of the eleventh for Henderson. He hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Baylor with the go-ahead run. Calvin Schiraldi
then retired the Halos in order in the bottom of the eleventh, completing a shocking comeback and breaking the hearts of Angels fans.
in Boston, Massachusetts
Still reeling from their Game 5 loss, the Angels took an early 2–0 lead, but the Sox tied the score without a hit in the bottom of the first. Any remaining heart that California had appeared to have been crushed by a six-hit, five-run rally in the third inning. Boston went on to win 10–4 to tie the series.
in Boston, Massachusetts
The Red Sox clinched the American League championship with three unearned runs in the second inning and a three-run home run from Jim Rice
in the fourth. The Angels never mounted a comeback, and Boston won 8–1 to win the series four games to three, providing another bitter defeat for the Angels.
over California Angels
, where they faced the New York Mets
, with memorable results. Like the Angels in the ALCS, the Red Sox found themselves one strike away from winning the World Series, yet could not hold the lead. Taking a 5–3 lead into the bottom of the tenth inning of Game 6, the Red Sox gave up three runs, culminating in an infamous ground ball through the legs of Bill Buckner to hand the Mets a 6–5 victory. The Mets would go on to win Game 7 and the Series.
As for the Angels, Donnie Moore
was regarded the goat
of the series for giving up Henderson's home run in Game 5, and then his game-winning sacrifice fly two innings later. Moore was blasted by the sports media, as well as the fans. He sank into depression and alcoholism over the next two years, and committed suicide on July 19, 1989.
In retrospect, most people consider the 1986
postseason to be one of the best (if not the best) postseasons of all time, as it not only was exciting but also made up for a lackluster regular season, in which the Red Sox, Angels, Mets, and Houston Astros
all won their divisions handily.
In , the Angels would finally have their moment(s) of glory. They would win the American League Wild Card, as well as their Division Series
(dethroning the four-time defending A.L. champion N.Y. Yankees
in four games), their first-ever pennant
(over Minnesota
in five games), and their first-ever World Series title
(over San Francisco
in seven games).
In , the Angels and Red Sox would meet again in the American League Division Series
. And again, the Red Sox would take this series in a sweep of three games. The Red Sox would eventually go on to defeat the New York Yankees
for their first pennant since 1986 and also win their first World Series title
since against the St. Louis Cardinals
.
In 2007
, the Angels and Red Sox met for the third time in the playoffs, playing each other in the ALDS
. The Red Sox easily won this series in a sweep, continuing their domination of the Halos in the postseason. The Red Sox would go on to win another world championship
that year.
Since Game 4 of the 1986 ALCS, the Angels had not won a postseason game against the Red Sox, having lost eleven straight until Game 3
of the 2008 ALDS. Also, the Red Sox have won all four playoff meetings against the Angels.
In 2009
, the Angels finally broke through and defeated the Red Sox in a clean sweep in the ALDS
.
1986 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox ; Ray Knight, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Marty Barrett*National League Championship Series MVP: Mike Scott...
American League Championship Series
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
was a back-and-forth battle between the Boston Red Sox
1986 Boston Red Sox season
The 1986 Boston Red Sox season involved the Red Sox finishing 1st in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 66 losses.-Offseason:...
and the California Angels
1986 California Angels season
The California Angels 1986 season was the franchise's 26th season and ended with the Angels losing the American League Championship Series in dramatic fashion....
for the right to advance to the 1986 World Series
1986 World Series
The 1986 World Series pitted the New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox. It was cited in the legend of the "Curse of the Bambino" to explain the error by Bill Buckner in Game 6 that allowed the Mets to extend the series to a seventh game...
to face the winner of the 1986 National League Championship Series
1986 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 8, 1986 at Astrodome in Houston, TexasGame 1 featured a pitching duel between eventual NLCS Most Valuable Player Mike Scott and Dwight Gooden. Scott allowed just five hits and walked one while striking out 14 in a complete-game effort as the host Astros prevailed 1–0...
. The Red Sox came in with a 95–66 record and the AL East division title, while the Angels went 92–70 during the regular season to win the AL West.
Boston Red Sox vs. California Angels
Game 1
Tuesday, October 7, 1986 at Fenway ParkFenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
in Boston, Massachusetts
Angels left fielder Brian Downing
Brian Downing
Brian Jay Downing is a former professional baseball player who had a 20-year MLB career with the Chicago White Sox, California Angels and Texas Rangers.- Chicago Years :...
went 2-for-5 with four RBI and Mike Witt
Mike Witt
Michael Atwater "Mike" Witt is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.At just twenty years of age, Witt made his major league debut with the California Angels in 1981. Standing 6 feet, 7 inches tall and possessing a great curveball as well as a good fastball, Witt's breakout season came in...
pitched a five-hit complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
, as California cruised to an 8–1 win.
Game 2
Wednesday, October 8, 1986 at Fenway ParkFenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
in Boston, Massachusetts
The next day, the tables were turned. Bill Buckner
Bill Buckner
William Joseph Buckner is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Despite winning a batting crown in , representing the Chicago Cubs at the All-Star Game the following season and accumulating over 2,700 hits in his twenty-year career, he is best remembered for a fielding error during Game 6...
scored the winning run in the fifth inning on a Dwight Evans
Dwight Evans
Dwight Michael Evans , nicknamed "Dewey", is an American former professional baseball right fielder and right-handed batter who played with the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles in Major League Baseball....
double, and the Red Sox tacked on insurance runs in the seventh and eighth. Boston claimed a 9–2 victory and tied the series at one game apiece.
Game 3
Friday, October 10, 1986 at Anaheim StadiumAngel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a modern-style ballpark located in Anaheim, California. It is the home ballpark to Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League, and was previously home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams...
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
In the seventh inning, Dick Schofield
Dick Schofield
Richard Craig "Dick" Schofield was a Major League Baseball shortstop who played 14 seasons, spanning from 1983–96. Schofield played the majority of his career with the California Angels, but also played on the 1993 Toronto Blue Jays team that eventually won the World Series...
homered for California to give the team a 2–1 lead. Gary Pettis
Gary Pettis
Gary George Pettis is the current first base coach of the Texas Rangers. Prior to coaching, he spent eleven seasons as a center fielder in Major League Baseball....
followed shortly thereafter with a two-run home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
of his own. The Halos won by a score of 5–3 and took a 2–1 series lead.
Game 4
Saturday, October 11, 1986 at Anaheim StadiumAngel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a modern-style ballpark located in Anaheim, California. It is the home ballpark to Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League, and was previously home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams...
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
, the Game 1 loser for the Red Sox, started Game 4, and was solid for most of the game. Boston put up a run in the sixth, and two more in the eighth on two hits, a wild pitch
Wild pitch
In baseball, a wild pitch is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, perhaps even the batter-runner on strike three or ball four, to advance.A wild pitch usually...
, a passed ball
Passed ball
In baseball, a catcher is charged with a passed ball when he fails to hold or control a legally pitched ball that, with ordinary effort, should have been maintained under his control. When, as a result of this loss of control, the batter or a runner on base advances, the catcher is thereby charged...
, and two errors, but left the bases loaded. In the bottom of the ninth, Doug DeCinces
Doug DeCinces
Douglas Vernon "Doug" DeCinces is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. He was traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the California Angels in 1982 to make room for Cal Ripken Jr. after having begun his career as the successor to Orioles third baseman Brooks Robinson...
led off with a home run. After the next batter grounded out, Schofield and Bob Boone
Bob Boone
Robert Raymond Boone is a former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who was a four-time All-Star. Born in San Diego, California, Bob Boone is the son of a major league player, the late third baseman Ray Boone, and the father of two major leaguers: former second baseman Bret Boone and...
singled. After coming within two outs of a complete game, Clemens was removed, and Boone was replaced with a pinch runner
Pinch runner
A pinch runner is a baseball player substituted for the specific purpose of replacing a player on base. In the typical case, the pinch runner is faster or otherwise more skilled at base-running than the player for whom the pinch runner has been substituted...
. Pettis, batting next, doubled to score Schofield. Ruppert Jones
Ruppert Jones
Ruppert Sanderson Jones is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers and California Angels...
was intentionally walked
Intentional base on balls
In baseball, an intentional base on balls, usually referred to as an intentional walk and denoted in baseball scorekeeping by IBB, is a walk issued to a batter by a pitcher with the intent of removing the batter's opportunity to swing at the pitched ball...
to load the bases, a fatal mistake, as two batters later, Downing was hit by a pitch, bringing in the tying run.
Angels relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
Doug Corbett
Doug Corbett
Douglas Mitchell Corbett is a former American professional baseball player who was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball for eight seasons during the 1980s...
pitched a perfect tenth and eleventh innings, and California broke through in the bottom of the eleventh. Jerry Narron
Jerry Narron
Jerry Austin Narron is a former Major League Baseball catcher and manager. He currently serves as the bench coach of the Milwaukee Brewers. During an 8-year playing career, he played from 1979–1987 for three different teams...
scored on Bobby Grich
Bobby Grich
Robert Anthony "Bobby" Grich is an American former professional baseball second baseman who played for the Baltimore Orioles and California Angels of Major League Baseball...
's one-out single, giving California a 4–3 win and a 3–1 series lead.
Game 5
Sunday, October 12, 1986 at Anaheim StadiumAngel Stadium of Anaheim
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a modern-style ballpark located in Anaheim, California. It is the home ballpark to Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of the American League, and was previously home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams...
in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
Heading into Game 5, California looked set to earn their first-ever trip to a World Series. Grich, the previous night's hero, homered to give the Halos a 3–2 lead in the sixth inning; Red Sox center fielder Dave Henderson
Dave Henderson
David Lee Henderson , nicknamed Hendu, is an American former Major League Baseball player who played for the Seattle Mariners , Boston Red Sox , San Francisco Giants , Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals . He batted and threw right-handed...
had tried to leap at the wall to catch Grich's long fly ball, but ended up deflecting it over the fence. Rob Wilfong
Rob Wilfong
Robert Donald Wilfong was a second baseman for the Minnesota Twins , California Angels and San Francisco Giants ....
appeared to put the final nail in Boston's coffin with an RBI double in the seventh, and the Angels led 5–2 after eight innings.
In the ninth, Witt was two outs away from his second complete game victory of the series when Don Baylor
Don Baylor
Donald Edward Baylor is a Major League Baseball coach currently the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a former player and manager. During his 19-year playing career, he was a power hitter who played as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter...
hit a two-strike, two-run home run to pull the Red Sox within one run. After retiring the next batter, Witt was replaced. Gary Lucas was brought in to face catcher Rich Gedman
Rich Gedman
Richard Leo Gedman is a former Major League Baseball catcher and left-handed batter who played with the Boston Red Sox , Houston Astros and St...
who had been 3 for 3 in the game against Witt, including a double and a home run. Lucas, on the other hand, had a history of striking Gedman out. But with his very first pitch, Lucas hit batter Gedman, and was replaced by Donnie Moore
Donnie Moore
Donnie Ray Moore was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs , St...
. The Angels closer brought his team within one strike of its first-ever AL pennant, but Henderson caught hold of a Moore forkball
Forkball
The forkball is a type of pitch in baseball. Related to the split-fingered fastball, the forkball is held between the first two fingers and thrown hard snapping the wrist....
and launched a home run into the left field stands, stunning the hometown crowd and greatly redeeming himself for his earlier miscue. Boston had taken a 6–5 lead.
The lead would not last, however, as in the bottom of the ninth, Boone singled, and Jones pinch-ran for him. Pettis sacrificed Jones to second, and Wilfong singled him home, tying the game. Schofield then singled, sending Wilfong to third, and Downing was intentionally walked to load the bases with only one out. All of Boston's top-half heroics would have been washed away with a mere sacrifice fly
Sacrifice fly
In baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
at this point. But instead, DeCinces only managed to hit a short fly ball to right field. Grich's subsequent line-out to pitcher Steve Crawford
Steve Crawford (baseball)
Steven Ray Crawford is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for two teams from 1980 through 1991. Listed at 6' 5", 225 lb., he batted and threw right-handed....
ended the inning.
The teams settled down and the tenth inning was again scoreless, but the Red Sox loaded the bases in the top of the eleventh for Henderson. He hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Baylor with the go-ahead run. Calvin Schiraldi
Calvin Schiraldi
Calvin Drew Schiraldi is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is best remembered as the losing pitcher of Game 6 and Game 7 of the 1986 World Series.-Amateur career:...
then retired the Halos in order in the bottom of the eleventh, completing a shocking comeback and breaking the hearts of Angels fans.
Game 6
Tuesday, October 14, 1986 at Fenway ParkFenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
in Boston, Massachusetts
Still reeling from their Game 5 loss, the Angels took an early 2–0 lead, but the Sox tied the score without a hit in the bottom of the first. Any remaining heart that California had appeared to have been crushed by a six-hit, five-run rally in the third inning. Boston went on to win 10–4 to tie the series.
Game 7
Wednesday, October 15, 1986 at Fenway ParkFenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
in Boston, Massachusetts
The Red Sox clinched the American League championship with three unearned runs in the second inning and a three-run home run from Jim Rice
Jim Rice
James Edward "Jim" Rice , nicknamed "Jim Ed", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder.Jim Rice played his entire career for the Boston Red Sox from 1974 to 1989...
in the fourth. The Angels never mounted a comeback, and Boston won 8–1 to win the series four games to three, providing another bitter defeat for the Angels.
Composite box
1986 ALCS (4–3): Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
over California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
Aftermath
By virtue of winning the ALCS, the Red Sox advanced to the 1986 World Series1986 World Series
The 1986 World Series pitted the New York Mets against the Boston Red Sox. It was cited in the legend of the "Curse of the Bambino" to explain the error by Bill Buckner in Game 6 that allowed the Mets to extend the series to a seventh game...
, where they faced the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, with memorable results. Like the Angels in the ALCS, the Red Sox found themselves one strike away from winning the World Series, yet could not hold the lead. Taking a 5–3 lead into the bottom of the tenth inning of Game 6, the Red Sox gave up three runs, culminating in an infamous ground ball through the legs of Bill Buckner to hand the Mets a 6–5 victory. The Mets would go on to win Game 7 and the Series.
As for the Angels, Donnie Moore
Donnie Moore
Donnie Ray Moore was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs , St...
was regarded the goat
Scapegoat
Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any party for unmerited negative treatment or blame. Scapegoating may be conducted by individuals against individuals , individuals against groups , groups against individuals , and groups against groups Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any...
of the series for giving up Henderson's home run in Game 5, and then his game-winning sacrifice fly two innings later. Moore was blasted by the sports media, as well as the fans. He sank into depression and alcoholism over the next two years, and committed suicide on July 19, 1989.
In retrospect, most people consider the 1986
1986 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox ; Ray Knight, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Marty Barrett*National League Championship Series MVP: Mike Scott...
postseason to be one of the best (if not the best) postseasons of all time, as it not only was exciting but also made up for a lackluster regular season, in which the Red Sox, Angels, Mets, and Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
all won their divisions handily.
In , the Angels would finally have their moment(s) of glory. They would win the American League Wild Card, as well as their Division Series
2002 American League Division Series
-Oakland Athletics vs. Minnesota Twins:-Game 1, October 1:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkThe game went back and forth with the Angels taking a 5–4 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning. Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia brought in Scott Schoeneweis to pitch to Jason Giambi, who tied the game...
(dethroning the four-time defending A.L. champion N.Y. Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in four games), their first-ever pennant
2002 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 8, 2002 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, MinnesotaJoe Mays outdueled Kevin Appier as the Twins won Game 1. A.J. Pierzynski hit a sac fly to put the Twins out in front first, but the Angels tied it the next inning on an error by Cristian Guzmán. The Twins...
(over Minnesota
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in five games), and their first-ever World Series title
2002 World Series
The 2002 World Series was a best-of-seven playoff series to determine the champion of Major League Baseball for the 2002 season. It was the 98th such contest between the champions of the American League and National League , and featured the AL champion Anaheim Angels against the NL champion San...
(over San Francisco
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in seven games).
In , the Angels and Red Sox would meet again in the American League Division Series
2004 American League Division Series
-Anaheim Angels vs. Boston Red Sox:-Game 1, October 5:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkPitching dominated in Game 1 as Mike Mussina faced Johan Santana. The Twins got on the board first when Shannon Stewart singled home Michael Cuddyer. Then in the sixth, Jacque Jones hit a solo home run to make...
. And again, the Red Sox would take this series in a sweep of three games. The Red Sox would eventually go on to defeat the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for their first pennant since 1986 and also win their first World Series title
2004 World Series
The 2004 World Series was the Major League Baseball championship series for the 2004 season. It was the 100th World Series and featured the American League champions, the Boston Red Sox, against the National League champions, the St. Louis Cardinals...
since against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
.
In 2007
2007 Major League Baseball season
The 2007 Major League Baseball season, began on April 1 with a rematch of the 2006 National League Championship Series; the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets played the first game of the season at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, which was won by the Mets, 6–1...
, the Angels and Red Sox met for the third time in the playoffs, playing each other in the ALDS
2007 American League Division Series
-Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees:-Game 1, October 3:Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsIn Game 1, Boston starter Josh Beckett threw a complete-game shut out, allowing the Red Sox to win the opener...
. The Red Sox easily won this series in a sweep, continuing their domination of the Halos in the postseason. The Red Sox would go on to win another world championship
2007 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsThe Red Sox cruised to a blowout win in Game 1 behind ALCS MVP Josh Beckett, who struck out nine batters, including the first four he faced, en route to his fourth win of the 2007 postseason...
that year.
Since Game 4 of the 1986 ALCS, the Angels had not won a postseason game against the Red Sox, having lost eleven straight until Game 3
2008 American League Division Series
-Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox:-Game 1, October 1:Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CaliforniaIn a re-match of last year's ALDS, starters Jon Lester and John Lackey were sharp early on, each tossing a couple of scoreless innings. The Angels finally got on the board in the third, when...
of the 2008 ALDS. Also, the Red Sox have won all four playoff meetings against the Angels.
In 2009
2009 Major League Baseball season
The 2009 Major League Baseball season began on Sunday, April 5, 2009 with the Atlanta Braves defeating the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies 4–1. The regular season ended on October 6, extended two days for a one-game playoff between the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins to...
, the Angels finally broke through and defeated the Red Sox in a clean sweep in the ALDS
2009 American League Division Series
The American League Division Series consisted of two concurrent best-of-five game series that determined the participating teams in the 2009 American League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a "wild card" team played in the two series. The ALDS began on Wednesday, October 7 and...
.