Chad Tracy, the interim manager for the Boston Red Sox, just guided his team to a playoff berth on September 20, 2026, a move that echoed a wild family history that’s honestly still mind-boggling. The Red Sox officially punched their ticket after a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, capping off a historic turnaround from what looked like a total bust of a season. Seriously, this dude has basically time-traveled.
Like Father, Like Son: The Rockies Blueprint
Rewind to May 2009: Chad’s dad, Jim Tracy, took over the Colorado Rockies after Clint Hurdle got the boot. And what happened? Absolute magic. The Rockies immediately went off, posting a ridiculous 21-7 record in June that year. They rode that wave to a franchise-record 92 wins and, yep, a playoff berth. Jim even snagged the National League Manager of the Year award in what was truly a magical season for Coors Field. Everyone talked about this connection back on May 1 when Chad stepped up for Boston. It’s the kind of story baseball nerds dream of, linking father and son in one of the most fascinating “intertwingings” in recent history. That 2009 Rockies team, by the way, ultimately lost to the eventual National League champion Philadelphia Phillies in October.
Boston’s Stunning Turnaround
Fast forward to Chad’s situation: The Red Sox started 10-17, leading to Alex Cora getting fired. Things didn’t exactly flip overnight for Boston, with a 13-14 record in June. But then, BOOM. A stunning 32-5 run absolutely vaulted the Red Sox back into contention, and now, a playoff berth. This is the second consecutive playoff berth for Boston, but the vibe around expectations was totally different this year. Think about it: the 2009 Rockies had been to the World Series just two years prior and still had a star-studded roster. The Red Sox, on the other hand, dealt with Roman Anthony and Garrett Crochet being on the shelf for most of 2026 with injuries. Former Colorado executive Dan O’Dowd even commented that “you can’t paint every situation with the same brush,” noting the different initial decisions with Hurdle and Cora. But O’Dowd believes in Chad Tracy, especially with the baseball path his family laid out.
This incredible run will forever link Jim and Chad Tracy, making their already deep father-son relationship even deeper. The Red Sox are in, and that historical echo? It’s loud. What’s next? October baseball, baby! They’ve already clinched back-to-back berths. Now we watch to see if this Red Sox squad can write their own chapter that goes even deeper into October.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Over the Monster.
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