Matt Damon rearranged his travel plans so he wouldn’t miss one of the biggest moments in Boston sports history.
The Oscar-winning actor recently recalled racing home from Europe during the filming of “Syriana” so he could watch the Boston Red Sox begin their historic 2004 World Series run after the team defeated the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series (ALCS).
Damon shared the story during a recent episode of Amy Poehler’s podcast, “Good Hang,” as the two looked back on one of the most memorable moments in Red Sox history.
At the time, Damon said he was filming “Syriana” in Dubai and had been watching Boston’s comeback against the Yankees from Geneva, Switzerland.
After the Red Sox clinched the ALCS and advanced to the World Series, Damon said he was supposed to continue filming overseas until producer George Clooney stepped in.
“I called him immediately, and he said, ‘I already redid the entire schedule. You can go home,’” Damon said.
He landed at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport just as Game 1 of the World Series began and rushed to his apartment.
“I made it to my apartment by like the second or third inning, and we won that game,” Damon said.
The actor admitted he refused to change his routine after Boston won the opener, believing he had found a lucky spot.
“Once we won that game, I knew that I had to watch every single moment on that couch by myself,” Damon said. “I didn’t want to jinx anything.”
The championship represented more than just a title for generations of Red Sox fans, Damon noted.
“I do feel like something psychically changed for all of us when that happened,” he said.
Poehler agreed, saying the victory had a profound impact on her own family.
“I know it did for my family,” she said, adding that the championship “felt like the Odyssey,” joking with Damon, whose upcoming film, “The Odyssey,” is set for release later this month.
The Red Sox went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 in the 2004 World Series, securing the franchise’s first championship since 1918.
