“The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox” premiered on Netflix on Oct. 23. The docuseries recalls how the 2004 Red Sox team broke an 86-year drought, winning the franchise’s first World Series title since 1918.
The series is divided into three episodes: Part I, Part II, and Part III. Each episode is about an hour long and features interviews with star players and personnel.
Some of the most famous Red Sox players during that time are featured in the series, including designated hitter David Ortiz, starting pitcher Pedro Martinez, first baseman and outfielder Kevin Millar, and general manager Theo Epstein.
Part I of the series tells the story of a new owner and general manager. John W. Henry bought the Red Sox in 2002 with his partner Tom Werner for $380 million. Henry owns the Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which also owns the Premier League’s Liverpool, the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Boston Globe.
This new management was brought in to “reverse the curse” of the 86-year drought, and indeed they did. Manager Terry “Tito” Francona was arguably the most important figure in the Sox’s revival.
“He’s the manager who helped steer the Boston Red Sox to their first World Series since the Paleolithic era,” said Scott Simon, who interviewed Francona in a podcast for NPR. “That was in 2004. He did it again in 2007, turning the franchise from some kind of national sob story into a sleek, rich, successful sports enterprise.”
Even as Francona went on to manage other major league teams, he would always be remembered as a legend in Boston sports. He recalls monumental moments during his tenure and how those moments changed his perspective on the ballgame.
“You know, like watching Dave Roberts steal second base in ‘04,” Francona said in the interview with NPR. “I mean, it just felt like it was in slow-motion. So, I got to live through it, and for me, that was enough.”
Parts II and III thoroughly depict the depths of the iconic Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees rivalry, which was at its height during the 2003 and 2004 seasons. I mean, we all remember Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek sticking his glove in Yankees’ shortstop Alex Rodriguez’s face during an intense brawl in the 2004 American League East championship series.
The Yankees and Red Sox repeatedly faced each other in the most important off-season championship series that would send them to the World Series championship. Both teams fought hard to be the American League East champions in 2003 and 2004.
The docuseries did an excellent job including both players’ perspectives as well as the views from notable front office staff. Just watching the old videos from the 2004 season brings an immense sense of pride to Boston sports fans, myself included.
It’s quite emotional to watch the resilience and perseverance of the 2004 Boston Red Sox because you feel so proud to be even a small part of what makes Boston sports culture so unparalleled.
The Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is still very prominent today, and as a Boston native and Red Sox fan, I will always support my home team and embrace the unmatched sports culture here in Boston.
