2004 ALDS Game Five vs Yankees

Lore & Background

However, history was about to rewrite itself in a flash of brilliance from shortstop Orlando Cabrera and center fielder David Eckstein. The game transformed from a potential funeral for the season into a celebration of resilience. It captured the essence of the 'Screwball' era Angels: a team that refused to quit regardless of the odds, embodying the chaotic hope that defines the franchise's most memorable nights.

Reader's Guide

Entering the bottom of the ninth inning, the Angels trailed 3-0 with two outs against Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. The atmosphere was electric yet tense as shortstop Orlando Cabrera led off with a double to right field. After a wild pitch moved him to third, David Eckstein stepped in and hit a towering fly ball that appeared destined for the stands. Eckstein's shot cleared the fence in left-center field, a two-run homer that instantly erased the three-run deficit. With the score tied 3-3, the game went into extra innings. In the bottom of the tenth, Garret Anderson and Troy Glaus delivered clutch hits to drive in the winning runs. The Angels secured a stunning 6-3 victory, forcing a Game Six back in Anaheim. This match remains unforgettable because it defied all conventional baseball logic, overcoming the Yankees' dominance and a seemingly insurmountable deficit in their own stadium.

Did You Know?

• The game was played at Yankee Stadium, making it an even more impressive feat to rally against the home crowd and their bullpen.
• This victory forced a Game 6, which the Angels would eventually win to advance to the ALCS for the first time since 1982.
• Orlando Cabrera's double set the stage for the entire comeback sequence in the bottom of the ninth.