I’ve been a Boston Red Sox fan ever since I can remember. I vividly recall the events leading up to and during “The Comeback”. As a huge Red Sox fan this was one of the most emotional moments in my life.  It was a huge time in my life. The 2003 ALCS, involving the Aaron Boone walk-off home run off of Tim Wakefield in Game 7, was devastating to me at that time. As having gone through the 1986 World Series I know all about devastating losses. What happened after 2003 I was almost at my breaking point, but “The Comeback” changed all that. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

The Comeback is a three-part docu-series that documents the events leading up to the year before, during, and after the actual Comeback. Everything involved in this event was shocking in one way or another to Red Sox fans. After 86 years of pain and suffering the ecstasy of finally exercising the demons of the past was finally coming true. The New York Yankees had won 26 World Series since the trade of Babe Ruth, from the Red Sox to the Yankees, up to this point so when the Red Sox beat them I and many other fans were more excited than we could possibly imagine.

With a docu-series of three parts, but each part being almost like a full-length film, you get a lot of talking heads. The list includes many ex-Red Sox players and managers that played for them at this time such as GM Theo Epstein,  DH David Ortiz, Pitchers Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling, Derek Lowe Kieth Foulke, Bronson Arroyo,1st Baseman/ Outfielder Kevin Millar, Outfielder Johnny Damon Catcher Jason Varitek, utility player Dave Roberts, Left Fielder Manny Ramirez, Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, Third Baseman Bill Miller, Right Fielder Trot Nixon, Manager Terry Francona, and Grady Little. All these men had an in-depth account of the events involved in this story. These weren’t the only talking heads though. The show had many more celebrities, men, and women involved in covering the Red Sox and fans of the team.  Writer Dan Shaughnessy, Sportscaster/Writer Mike Francesa, Jimmy Polino, ex-Red Sox/Yankees great Roger Clemons, Jimmy Polino, Reporter Howard Bryant,  owner John Henry, Michael Lewis Author, Billy Beane A’s GM, Sam Kennedy Former GM CEO Jed Hoyer, Red Sox Announcers Joe Castiglione and Don Orsillo, and Yankees Manager at the time Joe Torre. Every side of this particular story was covered in this series. I was very much impressed by how many people that were interviewed as part of the documentary.

Another very extensive part of the film was all the archival footage involving many different games that these two teams played against each other and other teams. As well as press conferences and radio and sports shows that cover these two teams mainly. Revisiting these moments wasn’t always good for me while watching the documentary. This footage from twenty years ago was a main part of why this film works so well. Even for people who aren’t familiar with this story. They can live vicariously through this exceptional series. I for one am glad this documentary was made so these moments in history will be forever remembered in sports and Red Sox lore.

One particular person who had a big part in this story was Kevin Millar, who was traded from the Marlins to the Red Sox the year before. His anecdotal interviews were very funny and very informative from the time he started talking. He was like a goldmine of quips and comments. It’s no surprise considering he is the co-host of his own show on the MLB Network called Intentional Talk. He’s used to making funny banter and one-liners that entertain people. He was the best part of the documentary for me. Besides revisiting this wonderful moment in my life.

This was based on the  Greatest Rivalry in Sports, Yankees vs Red Sox, The directors Colin Barnicole and produced by Colin & Nick Barnicole, added a couple of little things to the film that were nice touches. The win probability/percentage and various stats are in the lower left-hand corner of the screen, and on the upper part of the screen. These details added a nice extra element to the story I already knew and was very familiar with, but others weren’t. 

I can recall the hours that the first game of the Comeback started. I was at the Ale House in Daytona Beach Florida with my good friend Jim Drimb, who said and I quote “Were Not Leaving Here Until The Red Sox Win” and they won on a walk by Trot Nixon, stolen base by pinch runner Dave Roberts, now the Los Angeles Dodgers Manager, and a tenth inning game-winning hit by  Bill Mueller.  This was a crazy moment for me and the rest of Red Sox Nation. The rest as we say is history. The Red Sox would go on to win three more World Series over the next fifteen years and would be a big part of Title Town USA over that time.

5 stars

Dan Skip Allen