The Best World Series Moments of the 2000’s

The first decade of the 21st century wasn’t exactly baseball’s finest hour, as rampant steroid use plagued the game. However, steroids or not, when the World Series rolled around there were always exciting moments. Many of these should be unforgettable no matter who you are, but just in case you have, here are some of the best World Series moments from the 2000’s.

Angels Come Back From The Brink (2002)

The San Francisco Giants were eight outs from a World Series championship and holding a 5-0 lead in Game 6 when the Angels came storming back against all odds. The Giants thought they would cruise to a championship, but a home run from Scott Spezio in the 7th made it a 5-3 game. Darin Erstad hit a homer in the 8th to make it a one-run game. Troy Glaus then drove in two more runs to give the Angels a 6-5 lead. Troy Percival saved the game to force a Game 7, which the Angels also won, giving them their first World Series championship in franchise history.

Diamondbacks Steal Word Championship (2001)

The Yankees had a miraculous win in Game 4, but the Diamondbacks, in just their fourth season of existence, persevered throughout a seven-game series behind incredible performances from both Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson. The Yankees led Game 7 by a score of 2-1 and sent the greatest closer of all time, Mariano Rivera, to the mound to secure another world championship. But a single by Mark Grace and a double by Tony Womack tied the game, and then a bloop single by slugger Luis Gonzalez brought home the winning run, giving Arizona an improbable world championship.

Red Sox Break Curse (2004)

Every Red Sox fan remembers where they were when the curse was finally lifted and the team won its first World Series since 1918. Boston overcame a 3-0 deficit in the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, the first team in baseball history to accomplish such a feat. The Red Sox carried that momentum into the World Series, sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals and putting the curse to bed.