It was announced this week that a Boston Red Sox Netflix series following the 2024 team will release in 2025. The series will allow access to behind-the-scenes footage of what goes on in an MLB clubhouse day-to-day.
Does This Make Sense?
The decision makes complete sense from a marketing perspective. Netflix is a streaming service many people around the world use. If the Boston Red Sox can have the first successful baseball docuseries akin to what Peyton Manning did with Quarterback (2023), they could just become the most popular MLB team in the entire world.
Yet, the decision does come at a strange time on the Red Sox end. Why this season of all seasons? A team that is disappointing in free agency, after telling the fans they were going to go “full throttle” this offseason. The Red Sox as it stands right now are projected to finish with a losing record. It would be the 4th losing record in the last 5 years. And with how competitive the rest of the division is supposed to be, this could be Boston’s 3rd straight last place finishing season.
Red Sox fans have rightfully started to get fed up with the ownership of Fenway Sports Group (FSG). Fans have been pleading for John Henry and co. to sign one of the two major free agent pitchers still on the market, Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery. Despite these outcries, FSG decided to spend money elsewhere and invest $3 billion in the PGA Tour in January.
FSG’s portfolio, on top of the PGA investment, also owns Liverpool FC and the Pittsburgh Penguins. This has led Red Sox Fans have to question if John Henry still cares about the team. Taking all of this into account, one can only question the timing of the Red Sox Netflix series.
What About the Players?
It was reported that the Red Sox won’t get final say in what makes the docuseries and what doesn’t. Many fans have already begun to speculate which player will have a run-in with the film crew. Hot-head Nick Pivetta became the favorite amongst the crowd. But many were surprised to learn that Pivetta, along with Trevor Story and Rob Refsnyder were key players in bringing the idea to life.
“These guys they’ve done a really nice job of objectively assessing this, looking at the positives, understanding this is a little different and have tried to make sure that the team feels included,” said Red Sox chief marketing officer, Adam Grossman.
Along with the docuseries for the 2024 season, Netflix also announced they are making a series about the 2004 season. While there is already an excellent documentary on it, 30 for 30: Four Days in October (2010), Red Sox fans won’t say no to more content.
The director of the project, Greg Whiteley, also worked on Last Chance U (2016-2020). So, get ready to dive deep into the backstories of some Red Sox players and build some bonds through the TV. Something Last Chance U did really well was making “main characters” out of failing college football players.
One has to wonder who the main character on the Red Sox is going to be this season. It could be the southern sweetheart, Trevor Story. Or maybe it will be the young and unique first basemen, Triston Casas. There’s also the wily bullpen veteran, Kenley Jansen. A lot of options to choose from for the Netflix crew, and ultimately, they will probably get it right.
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