SI’s “14 Back” chronicles the crazy 1978 Red Sox-Yankees season

Sports Illustrated’s new documentary “14 Back” is coming just in time for the 40th anniversary of the insane 1978 pennant race between the Yankees and Red Sox.

Depending on where you stand, the 1978 pennant race between the Red Sox and Yankees is either a thing of beauty or a total nightmare.

If you’re a Sox fan, it’s Bucky (expletive) Dent. For years, Red Sox fans were cursed with the memories of Dent’s home run in Fenway Park during game 163 of the 1978 season. The Yankees had come back from a 14-game deficit to win the American League East.

If you’re a Yankees fan, it’s a sweet, sweet thing. Not only did the Yanks battle back from a 14-game deficit, but they crushed the dreams of the Boston Red Sox on game 163 of the season.

Those emotions – along with some fascinating information – are brought to the forefront in Sports Illustrated’s new film, “14 Back.”

The new 90-minute film, which is produced by 11-time Emmy winner Jonathan Hock, takes us back to 1978 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the craziest pennant race in MLB history.

It released today (September 20) on SI TV. So head on over there to check it out.

And trust me, you’re going to want to see it. Watching the likes of Bill Lee and Dennis Eckersley talk so openly and passionately about that up-and-down season is powerful. The same is true listening to Graig Nettles and Ron Guidry touch on the wild dynamic between manager Billy Martin and owner George Steinbrenner.

That’s actually the most appealing thing about “14 Back.” It doesn’t pull any punches. You can tell that these guys really hated each other back in the day – and some of those feelings clearly have lingered on despite the passage of nearly a half-century. There were no handshakes and smiles during rivalry games back in the day.

I don’t want to spoil anything. But at the very least you need to see what item Lee keeps in his wallet.

So don’t wait. Head on over to SI.tv and pop some pop corn.