Will the Red Sox ever be THE RED SOX again?

TL;DR

The Red Sox's peak popularity is remembered nostalgically, particularly an incident involving catcher Doug Mirabelli 20 years ago. Fans wonder if the team can regain its former status as a cultural phenomenon.

Key points

Doug Mirabelli was escorted to a game by police 20 years ago
Red Sox were a cultural phenomenon from 1999 to 2007
Fans are nostalgic about the team's peak popularity
Current discussions question the team's ability to regain former status

Mentioned in this story

Doug MirabelliBoston

Boston Red Sox

(050106)BOSTON- Red Sox catcher Doug Mirabelli runs out of a state police cruiser 3 minutes before gametime after he was escorted to the game from Hanscom? field after he traveled across teh country to make tonights game vs the yankees.m (staff photo by Tim Correira saved in tues) (Photo by Tim Correira/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images Good morning and happy Doug Mirabelli police escort day! Yes, 20 years ago today the entire city of Boston and Red Sox fans all over the world were glued to their screens, anxiously tracking the travel progress of a backup catcher who, at the time, was hitting just .182. This was a silly episode in Red Sox history. But it’s also one I look back at with a melancholic nostalgia, because this may have been the moment of peak Red Sox fever. From 1999 through 2007 (feel free to quibble about the bookend dates, maybe 2003-2011 is more appropriate) the Red Sox were more than a baseball team, they were a phenomenon. Everything this team did resonated around the country, and certainly throughout New England, where the Sox were the number one topic of conversation in every backyard and bar. Will we ever get back to that or is that era dead and buried? Use this space to talk about backup catchers and whatever else you want and, as always, be good to one another.

Q&A

What incident involving Doug Mirabelli occurred 20 years ago?

Doug Mirabelli was escorted by police to a game against the Yankees, arriving just three minutes before gametime after traveling across the country.

What years are considered the peak of Red Sox popularity?

The peak of Red Sox popularity is often considered to be from 1999 through 2007, with some suggesting it extended to 2011.

Can the Red Sox regain their status as a cultural phenomenon?

Fans are questioning whether the Red Sox can return to the level of cultural significance they held during their peak years.