During Fox 25's post-Super Bowl coverage, they ran a poll asking viewers which comeback was greater - the Boston Red Sox coming back from a 0-3 deficit in the 2004 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees or the New England Patriots coming back from a 25-point deficit to win their fifth Super Bowl title. A worthy question given they were such joyous occasions in Boston sports history and completely without precedent.
The poll was pretty even running 50-50. As I recall, the Pats had a 52%-48% edge at the conclusion.
I don't begrudge anyone who opted for the Pats comeback. After all, people were still absorbing the enormity of what happened. While the Red Sox comeback played itself out over four long days, the Patriots did their magic in the space of about 40 minutes.
I didn't vote in the poll, but if I had I would have to go with the Red Sox. The Patriots, after all, have four Super Bowl rings. But in 2004, the Red Sox were still seeking their first World Series title in 86 years. Although they still awaited the St. Louis Cardinals, the fact that they had beat the hated Yankees was bigger than winning the World Series itself. Last night's catharsis was last night. The Patriots and Falcons rivalry is in its infancy. Sure there was the delight in gaining a measure of vengeance over NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and put the air back into the balloon which had been deflated at the beginning of the season. But the catharsis in 2004 was a release of nearly a century of frustration and futility. The fact that poll was so close gives one an understanding of how important the 2004 Red Sox triumph is in New England more than a decade after the fact.
Nevertheless, I will gladly take last night's triumph. It might not be the greatest comeback in New England sports history, it is certainly the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history and, for that matter, NFL history. It is a triumph well worth savoring.
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