Curt Schilling’s 2004 season with the Boston Red Sox is one of the most iconic in baseball history—particularly because of his heroics during the postseason, where he pitched through pain and became a symbol of grit and determination.
The "Bloody Sock Game" is one of the most iconic and legendary moments in baseball—and Boston Red Sox—history. It happened on October 19, 2004, during Game 6 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees.
The Red Sox were down 0–3 in the ALCS—no MLB team had ever come back from such a deficit.
They won Games 4 and 5 in extra innings, pushing the series to 3–2.
Game 6 was in Yankee Stadium, and Boston needed a win to force a Game 7.
Curt Schilling had torn the tendon sheath in his right ankle during Game 1.
He could barely pitch in that game and was hit hard.
Team doctors developed a radical procedure: they sutured (stitched) the tendon sheath to the skin to hold it in place, allowing him to push off the mound.
💬 Schilling later said: “I had no business being on that mound without that surgery.”
During the game, blood from the surgical stitches began to soak through Schilling’s white sock.
It was visible to the national TV audience, and became an instant symbol of toughness and sacrifice.
Despite the pain, Schilling was dominant:
7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K
Shut down a loaded Yankees lineup in a must-win game
Joe Buck (on Fox): “What he is doing right now is beyond incredible.”
Terry Francona (manager): "We needed a win. He gave us a win."