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Red Sox History: The unsung hero from every pennant-winning team

By Daniel Fox

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 09: A general view of Fenway Park with the 9 World Series pennant logos before the home opener between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 09, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 09: A general view of Fenway Park with the 9 World Series pennant logos before the home opener between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 09, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON – OCTOBER 24: Orlando Cabrera #44 and David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2 in game two of the World Series on October 24, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2 to take a 2-0 game lead. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
BOSTON – OCTOBER 24: Orlando Cabrera #44 and David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2 in game two of the World Series on October 24, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-2 to take a 2-0 game lead. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

2004: SS Orlando Cabrera

Few teams in franchise history entered the season with more expectations than the 2004 Red Sox. After winning 95 games and coming five outs away from the World Series the year prior, the Red Sox added ace starting pitcher Curt Schilling and All-Star closer Keith Foulke. It looked like it would finally be the Red Sox year, but after a 15-6 start, the Red Sox went just 43-43 over their next 86 games. Something needed to change.

The biggest problem with that Red Sox team was their infield defense. They had below-average defenders at each of the four positions, which hurt the team’s pitchers, especially groundball specialist Derek Lowe (5.52 ERA).

To upgrade the team’s defense, general manager Theo Epstein made the bold move of trading franchise cornerstone Nomar Garciaparra in a four-team deal that brought in, among other players, defensive specialist Orlando Cabrera.

The deal paid immediate dividends. Not only did Cabrera play fantastic defense, but he batted .294 with 31 RBIs in just 58 games. The Red Sox went on a 20-2 run in August and grabbed the wild card spot with 98 wins.

Cabrera continued his immense contributions in October. He played error-free defense over the team’s fourteen games and became one of twenty players ever with a ten-game hitting streak. 2004 would be Cabrera’s only year with the Red Sox, but his performance in just half a season would make him a legend in Boston.

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