Boston Sports Then and Now

As a writer, I try to avoid sentimentality.  However, it is difficult for me not to think back to the role Curtis Leskanic filled for the 2004 Red Sox without drifting into the dreary and delirious mindset brought upon by fond nostalgia.

Before joining the Red Sox in June of 2004, Leskanic had pitched ten-and-a-half seasons between Colorado, Milwaukee, and Kansas City, experiencing varying levels of success.  In 2003, he posted a 2.22 ERA in 53 appearances between Milwaukee and Kansas City; this would prove to be his best Major League season.

Curtis Leskanic was instrumental in the 2004 Sox' historic postseason run.

The middle reliever, though, failed to follow up with any level of success the following year and was released outright on June 16 after posting an 8.04 ERA in 19 games for a beyond-bad Royals team.

Odd though it may seem now given the dominance of the bullpen’s he has built since 2007, in the early part of his career, finding capable middle relief was General Manager Theo Epstein‘s Achilles’ Heel.  In need of help at the position, the Sox inked Leskanic to a minor league contract less than ten days after his release from the Royals.

Leskanic was solid down the stretch, posting a 3.58 ERA in 32 appearances, including 16 games finished.  He struck out 22 in 27.2 innings and provided the Sox with a useful arm in middle relief as the bullpen stabilized around closer Keith Foulke and set-up men Mike Timlin and Alan Embree.  Had that been the extent of this story, though, then it wouldn’t be worth writing.

Game Four of the 2004 ALCS is most widely remembered for Dave Roberts steal of second base off of Mariano Rivera, Bill Mueller‘s subsequent RBI single, and David Ortiz‘s walk-off homerun (and all with good reason).  However, it might come to a surprise to some that Leskanic picked up the win in the exciting game that kick-started the Sox’ epic run to their first World Series Championship in 86 years.  The pitcher, whose long-term shoulder issues were common knowledge (he had missed time with a strained shoulder earlier in the summer), retired Bernie Williams with the bases loaded and two outs after having been brought in to replace Mike Myers in the top of the 11th inning.  Had he failed to do so, the Red Sox would have been swept and the Championship drought would have continued.

The bullpen spent, Leskanic, running on fumes, was called upon to pitch the top of the 12th as well.  After allowing a lead-off bloop single to Jorge Posada, he retired the side.  In the bottom half of the inning, Ortiz hit his homerun and the Red Sox won their first of eight games in a row with their backs against the wall.

This would be the last appearance of Leskanic’s career.  He retired after the season.  His shoulder quite damaged, the beleaguered pitcher thought it best to call it quits as a Champion.  The decision was a fitting one, because without his gallant effort and contribution in Game Four against the arch-rival Yankees, he would not have become one.

-Adam Vaccaro can be followed on Twitter.