It's been 20 years since the 2004 Boston Red Sox lifted the Commissioner's Trophy for the first time in 86 years.
The Red Sox's four-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series helped to set off a chain of events that has led to Boston's claim of the name "Title Town." The Sox have claimed three World Series since 2004 and established a culture of winning in the organization. "The Comeback" allows Red Sox fans to revisit the successes back when they all began.
Netflix commemorated the breaking of The Curse with a three-episode docuseries that features key moments from the Red Sox's 2004 playoff run and interviews with pivotal players, including Pedro Martinez, Kevin Millar, Trot Nixon, David Ortiz, and even elusive team owner John Henry.
The familiar faces and huge moments have Red Sox fans reminiscing on the past. Henry's interview about doing whatever it takes to win a championship stung in the context of recent seasons.
Boston hasn't won a World Series without a payroll in the top four in MLB — in 2004, the Red Sox had the second-largest payroll. The front office's spending philosophy of the last six years conveniently neglects this fact.
"The Comeback" should inspire the Red Sox front office to want to win again
I just watched this. Very nostalgic. I have never cared about sports as much as I did during those 03-04 Red Sox runs.
— Gaz (@stoolsalesguy) October 24, 2024
I miss meaningful baseball. Do something @RedSox https://t.co/4lN1nbK4hj
The director of "The Comeback," Red Sox fan Colin Barnicle, referred to the Sox as "a victim of their own success" in his recent appearance on the "Fenway Rundown" podcast with Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive. But Henry may have gotten the worst of it — he showed genuine care for the 2004 Red Sox in his interview portion of the series, but that passion has devolved into an obsession with Fenway Sports Group's bottom line.
The Red Sox aren't so much a victim of their own success as Henry is a victim of greed. Success in Boston used to be a top priority, but the Sox have fallen out of favor and become "an asset" in FSG's portfolio. "The Comeback" has reminded fans of a time when ownership cared, the ultimate nostalgia from the series.
Boston's iconic comeback against the Yankees and commanding sweep of the Cardinals could be the motivation the front office needs to have the big offseason fans have begged for. The Yankees in the current World Series should push the front office even more.
Sam Kennedy, Craig Breslow and Alex Cora's comments at the 2024 end-of-season press conference reflect more of a "win now" mentality than the past few offseasons. Then again, Tom Werner said "full throttle" last year, and it only took a few days for him to retract that statement.
2004 helped establish a precedent of success in the Red Sox organization, but ownership has pivoted on its own history since 2019. The nostalgia brought on by "The Comeback" could — and should — help set things right in Boston again.