Courtesy of Lauren Thimmesch
On October 23, 2024, “The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox” was released on Netflix thanks to the creator of the series, Colin Barnicle, a young director, writer and producer. His impact on the docuseries scene started in 2017 when he co-produced “Billy Joel: New York State of Mind,” and continued into 2021 with his direction of “This is a Robbery: The World’s Greatest Art Heist”(worth the watch). As a lifelong Red Sox fan, Barnicle believed that the media surrounding the 2004 World Series didn’t do the team justice “I always felt like the story only covered the end” (Sports Illustrated). Barnicle wanted to make visible the lead-up to the series, as well as the behind-the-scenes of what made the team different that year. The docuseries includes various interviews with players like Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz, Kevin Millar, and Curt Schilling; coaches Terry Francona and Graddy; and manager Theo Epstein. The natural emotions of the players, coaches, and management allow the series to build suspense; even though the viewers already know the outcome from 20 years ago, “there is legitimate suspense” (Sports Illustrated).
After 86 years since their last world championship, the Boston Red Sox were determined to make history with game seven of the 2004 World Series. In the first episode, the series shares a history lesson on the Red Sox. Starting in 1920 and recalling the legendary curse of the Bambino, the commentators go on to explain how Boston was able to win the series against the New York Yankees in 2004.
When John Henry bought the Red Sox in 2001, he stated, “I was determined to make changes.” One of these changes included the hiring of a new general manager, Theo Epstein, making him the youngest general manager in Major League Baseball history at 28 years old. Despite backlash for his lack of experience, Epstein successfully acquired players who would soon be staples in the Red Sox lineup, including Ortiz, Millar, Bill Mueller, and Jeremy Giambi.
After finishing in second place for the national title, five years in a row, the Sox were itching to hoist the World Series Trophy, particularly in a win over the Yankees. Not only did the fan bases of these two teams hate each other, the players weren’t too keen either; Pedro Martinez recalls, “this is personal.” Their feud escalated during game three of the 2003 American League Championship when the Yankees coach, Don Zimmer, attempted a left hook on Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez. After Zimmer’s swing and a miss, Martinez was able to push him away, ending with Zimmer on the ground and the dugouts of both teams emptying onto the field.
Episode two of the series begins with the locker room of the Red Sox full of grief after their loss to the Yankees in game seven during the American League Championship Series. With the rivalry more intense than ever, the management team for the Sox once again attempted to make trades in order to keep up with the Yankees. One of these attempts included the trade for Alex Rodriguez, a.k.a A-Rod, one of the most skilled and well-known MLB players at the time. However, after tension in the media surrounding the trade, the MLB rejected the Red Sox’s offer despite A-Rod’s agreement to his change in teams. With A-Rod as a free agent and the public knowledge that the Sox attempted to get him on their team, you’ll never guess which MLB team picked up the free agent.
The Sox were up against the Yankees, a fate unlucky enough, now stacked with A-Rod, who would be a third-baseman and hitter for the Yanks. On the bright side for the Sox, their new manager for the 2004 season, Terry Francona, seemed a promising prospect for their determined team, “Holy cow. What a dude” (Kevin Millar). The team also gained a talented pitcher, Curt Schilling, who admits he was attracted to the Red Sox because of their ongoing friction with the Yankees, stating, “The Yankee-Red Sox rivalry transcends sports.” During their inconsistent yet overall successful season, the players had hope for the outcome of this year’s season. Red Sox Catcher, Doug Mirabelli, commented on the team’s expectations, saying, “It went from ‘hey, we can win’ in ‘03, to expecting to win ball games in ‘04.” After their defeat against the Anaheim Angels to clinch the wildcard for the American League Championship, the “stacked” Red Sox were ready to face the Yankees.
Episode three begins during the pre-season of the 2004 season. This particular season made the team closer than ever, and they embraced the label that the media gave them in reference to an interview with Johnny Damon, “a bunch of idiots.” In the 2004 American League Championship, the bunch of idiots faced the posh Yankees. Whichever team got the home stadium advantage had the intense support of the entire stadium, with fans consistently chirping the other team. Schilling mentions that the chirps from the Yankees fans were helpful, “I’m not sure I can think of any scenario more enjoyable than making 55,000 people from New York shut up.”
Despite every ounce of effort exerted by the players, the Sox suffered defeat in the first three games of the series against the Yankees. In game four of the series, down 4-3, the Sox tied the game in the 10th inning, giving them a shot at a comeback. In the 12th inning, Ortiz homered to right field with Ramirez on base, making the final score 6-4 and defeating the Yankees. Against all odds, the Red Sox had clinched their only shot at making the World Series. Their luck struck again in game five, when once again Ortiz scored a homerun and the team ended the game with a 5-4 win. Epstein said that Ortiz had become the players’ superhero, “I’ve never seen players, major league players, so in awe of another player.”
Before game 6, and after a shot of Jack Daniels for everyone on the team, the management and players were worried about Schilling and his ankle injury. Just one day before the game, Schilling endured an experimental surgery to mend the tendon on his ankle. Remarkably, Schilling was able to play the next day and pitch the first seven innings of the game.
When the Yankees scored a run in the 8th inning, the players feared that the curse had returned. Upon further review, the call was reversed due to the Yankee runner swatting the ball out of the infielder’s hand on his way to first base. Due to the accurate yet shocking call at Yankee Stadium, the fans were enraged, throwing food and trash onto the field. The rivals played the rest of the game with riot police on the field, lining the barriers between the stands and the field.
After winning game 6, the Red Sox became the first team in baseball history to come back from a 3-0 deficit and force a game seven. Damon recalled, “Nothing was going to stop us,” and he was right. An intense nine innings later in game seven, the Red Sox had defeated the Yankees and broken the Curse; “Move over, Babe. The Red Sox are American League Champions” (Red Sox commentator). Their 10-3 victory allowed the Sox to advance to the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, which they won in game four; “mission accomplished Boston” (Pedro Martinez).
The never-before-seen interviews with the legendary players of the 2004 Red Sox made this series a must-watch. These interviews let the fans into the clubhouse, able to hear the players’ perspectives about why and how that year’s season was personal. Other than live post-game interviews, fans don’t have much access to hearing their favorite players’ side of the story. The three episodes were focused on the Sox and their victory, but themes of teamwork, friendship, and hard work were just as prevalent. The series was successful in its ability to build suspense, include rare video clips and perspectives, and keep the audience entertained. I know I was.
