Netflix offers an inside look at the grind of a full 162-game baseball season in its new docuseries The Clubhouse: A Season with the Red Sox.
The eight-part series, now streaming in full, goes beyond just wins and losses. Although the Red Sox finished a middling 81-81, the show focuses more on the human side of baseball—shedding light on the daily challenges faced by a Major League team and its players, both professionally and personally.
Among the standout stories, outfielder Jarren Duran candidly discusses his struggle with mental health, including a previously unspoken suicide attempt earlier in his career. Meanwhile, pitcher Brayan Bello opens up about his emotional struggle being away from his family due to visa complications—adding to the pressure of living up to a major new contract.
Thanks to unprecedented access, Netflix brings viewers into strategy sessions, dugout chats, and even players’ homes, providing a behind-the-scenes look rarely seen in pro sports.
The series was directed by Greg Whiteley, a four-time Emmy winner known for deep, human-focused storytelling. Speaking with MLB.com, Whiteley explained the massive task of narrowing down thousands of hours of footage into just eight episodes. The key, he said, was selecting a few core stories to follow in depth rather than trying to cover every player superficially.
In Episode 4, Duran’s openness struck a chord. Whiteley said he wasn’t shocked by the revelation, as previous conversations had hinted at deeper struggles. Duran, he noted, felt a responsibility to speak out, hoping to let others—especially young fans—know they’re not alone.
Episode 5 highlights Bello’s emotional journey. While his on-field performance early in the season raised questions, the doc reveals how personal hardships—particularly being separated from his wife and child—took a toll. Whiteley emphasized the importance of showing the human side of players to deepen fans’ understanding and empathy.
The series also offers moments of pure baseball. One highlight includes a record-setting game where the Red Sox stole nine bases against the Yankees. Netflix captured the strategy session that predicted the team’s aggressive running, providing a rare look at game planning that paid off perfectly.
With Boston’s busy offseason—including big-name additions like Garrett Crochet and Alex Bregman and rising prospects like Kristian Campbell, Roman Anthony, and Marcelo Mayer—Whiteley was asked if a sequel was in the cards. He said he’d be thrilled to return, praising the Red Sox for their trust and transparency during production. The team granted full access without editorial control, a bold move that Whiteley deeply appreciated.