The 2004 Los Angeles Dodgers season was defined by a dramatic ownership change, as Frank McCourt purchased the franchise from Fox during spring training and immediately fired general manager Dan Evans, replacing him with Paul DePodesta. This new leadership sparked a flurry of trades, bringing in players like Milton Bradley, Jayson Werth, and later Brad Penny and Steve Finley to reshape the roster. Despite the upheaval, the Dodgers clinched the National League West title and won their first postseason game since 1988. However, their playoff run ended in the NLDS, losing 3–1 to the St. Louis Cardinals. Individually, Adrián Beltré earned a Silver Slugger and was named NL Player of the Month for September, while Éric Gagné won the Relief Man of the Year award, and César Izturis and Steve Finley took home Gold Gloves. In the amateur draft, the team used three first-round picks on Scott Elbert, Justin Orenduff, and Blake DeWitt, though only Elbert and DeWitt reached the majors with limited success.