Recently having joined the best Netflix sports documentaries on the streaming platform, The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox chronicles one of the most impressive and long-awaited comebacks in baseball history. The documentary was released 20 years after the Boston Red Sox won the World Series Championship in 2004, showcasing the first time the baseball team had won the World Series since 1918. The Red Sox’s win in 2004 is considered one of the greatest baseball comebacks of all time, ending their infamous 86-year-long drought without a championship win.

The documentary includes interviews with several key figures who were part of the Red Sox’s 2004 comeback, such as team players Kevin Millar and David Ortiz and manager Terry Francona. Throughout the series, they reveal the intense pressure they faced to win the championship and break a losing curse that followed the team for 86 years. The documentary depicts the determination of the team to break the infamous curse and return the Red Sox to its previous glory in baseball — but it is not the only “curse” in MLB history.

The Chicago Cubs Were Cursed By A Billy Goat In 1945

The Cubs Lost The 1945 Series To The Detroit Tigers After Being Cursed

Throughout the Netflix documentary, team players discuss the fallout they faced from the infamous Curse of the Bambino that was placed on the team in the early 20th century. Named after legendary baseball player Babe Ruth, the curse was placed upon the Red Sox after Ruth was controversially sold to the New York Yankees in 1920; up until 2004, the Red Sox only played in 4 World Series and lost each time (via History). However, there is another famous baseball team that was also cursed in a very unusual way.

In 1945, the Chicago Cubs were playing against the Detroit Tigers at Wrigley Field, when Billy Goat Tavern owner, William Sianis, was prohibited from entering the stadium with his pet goat, Murphy. According to USA Today, despite having tickets, Sianis and his goat were not allowed to enter as ushers were concerned the goat would disturb the audience. Sianis then cursed the Cubs, declaring they would never win another World Series; the Cubs lost the 1945 series to the Tigers and subsequently struggled in their ranking in later years (via Billy Goat Tavern).

The Cubs Suffered The Longest Drought in Baseball History Without A Championship Win

The Cubs Failed To Win The World Series Between 1908 & 2016 Because Of The Curse

The Red Sox’s drought of 86 years is the third-longest drought in baseball history; throughout the documentary, footage is shown of the team’s efforts over the years to break the curse and the support they received from loyal Red Sox fans. Yet while the documentary shows the Red Sox’s victory in 2004, the Chicago Cubs had longer to wait before succeeding in the World Series. Before being cursed, the Cubs had last won the World Series in 1908, which was their second successful series after winning in 1907.

Following the Curse of the Billy Goat, the Cubs won no further World Series titles for 108 years, the longest drought without a championship win in baseball. The curse was finally broken in 2016 when they defeated the Cleveland Indians, ending one of the most infamous baseball streaks. The new docuseries on Netflix right now, The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox shows how the Red Sox were heavily impacted across the years by the Curse of the Bambino and their rivalry with the New York Yankees (via The New York Times), but includes other illuminating baseball stories such as the Cubs’ curse.

Sources: History, USA Today, Billy Goat Tavern, The New York Times

The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox
is available to watch on Netflix.