After an agonizing 86-year wait, the curse has finally been broken for the Boston Red Sox. In one of the most historic comebacks in sports history, the Red Sox rallied from a three-game deficit to win the 2004 American League Championship Series against their fierce rivals, the New York Yankees. This victory not only secured their spot in the World Series but also brought an end to a long-standing curse that had plagued the team for decades. Throughout those 86 years, the Red Sox had experienced numerous heartbreaking losses and near-misses, leading many to believe that they were cursed. At the center of this curse was the infamous sale of Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1919, which was believed to have cursed the Red Sox and brought success to their rivals. However, the 2004 season proved to be a turning point in the team's history.
While the Yankees went on to win four World Series with Ruth -- now fully converted to a power-hitting position player -- on their roster and another 22 before the close of the 20th century, the Red Sox plunged into a decades-long abyss of frustrating -- even eerie -- finishes. In the 84 seasons after the Ruth sale, the Sox reached the World Series just four times (1946, '67, '75, '86), losing each one in the seventh and final game. When a ball rolled through the legs of first baseman Bill Buckner for a crucial fielding error that cost them Game 6 of the 1986 World Series to the National League’s Mets (yes, another New York team), the supposed supernatural effects of the Ruth sale were given the formal “Curse of the Bambino” branding.
Frazee -- a theatrical producer and director who had, suspiciously, come to Boston from New York City -- was already in debt from his 1916 purchase of the team and was in need of cash to finance a play named My Lady Friends, which would go on to become the successful Broadway hit, No No Nanette. When a ball rolled through the legs of first baseman Bill Buckner for a crucial fielding error that cost them Game 6 of the 1986 World Series to the National League s Mets yes, another New York team , the supposed supernatural effects of the Ruth sale were given the formal Curse of the Bambino branding.
However, the 2004 season proved to be a turning point in the team's history. With a roster filled with talent and a never-give-up attitude, the Red Sox fought their way to the top. The turning point of the season came in Game 4 of the ALCS when the Red Sox staged a dramatic comeback, rallying from a 3-0 deficit to win the game in extra innings.
The 'Curse of the Bambino,' explained
Many examples of what is known as a “treaty curse” can be found in ancient Christian and Hebraic texts, where those who break an oath or covenant are damned with a malediction. One illustration of this idea is Esarhaddon, king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, threatening those who betray him by stating, “[May] your days be dark, your years be dim” and “May a foreign enemy divide your spoil.”
Which brings us to the story of the “Curse of the Bambino.”
On Dec. 26, 1919 (103 years ago), the Boston Red Sox made the controversial and eminently regrettable decision to sell Babe Ruth -- one of the great sports heroes in American culture and the so-called “Bambino” -- to the New York Yankees.
Many dim years followed for the Boston ballclub.
Prior to that point, the Red Sox had won five of the first 15 World Series titles in Major League history, with Ruth a member of three of those championship teams. A proficient pitcher and sometime-slugger, Ruth was the winning pitcher in two of the six games of the 1918 World Series, giving him the confidence to report late to Spring Training camp the following season and demand a big pay day from Red Sox owner Harry Frazee.
After Ruth negotiated a three-year, $27,000 contract, the Red Sox went on to finish a distant sixth in the American League in that 1919 season. Still, Ruth, well aware of his popularity within the sport, wanted to renegotiate his deal. He wanted to double his salary.
Frazee -- a theatrical producer and director who had, suspiciously, come to Boston from New York City -- was already in debt from his 1916 purchase of the team and was in need of cash to finance a play named “My Lady Friends,” which would go on to become the successful Broadway hit, “No No Nanette.” Facing those financial pressures, Frazee agreed to sell the rights to Ruth to the Yankees, who at the time had never even appeared in a World Series, for the then-staggering sum of $100,000.
That’s when the fortunes of the two teams swung dramatically.
While the Yankees went on to win four World Series with Ruth -- now fully converted to a power-hitting position player -- on their roster and another 22 before the close of the 20th century, the Red Sox plunged into a decades-long abyss of frustrating -- even eerie -- finishes. In the 84 seasons after the Ruth sale, the Sox reached the World Series just four times (1946, '67, '75, '86), losing each one in the seventh and final game. When a ball rolled through the legs of first baseman Bill Buckner for a crucial fielding error that cost them Game 6 of the 1986 World Series to the National League’s Mets (yes, another New York team), the supposed supernatural effects of the Ruth sale were given the formal “Curse of the Bambino” branding.
Red Sox fans tried to kill the curse in many ways, spray-painting a “Reverse Curve” street sign on an overpass to change the wording to “Reverse the Curse,” trying to unearth a piano Ruth had allegedly tossed into a pond outside of Boston after a rowdy party in 1918, and even staging an exorcism outside of their home stadium, Fenway Park.
But only on-field results could break the curse, and that’s what finally happened in 2004, when the Red Sox were matched against the Yankees -- the enemy that had divided their spoils lo those many years -- in the AL Championship Series, with a spot in the World Series on the line. Boston fell behind, three games to none, in the best-of-seven set, then became the first team in history to storm back from such a deficit.
This win not only gave the team a glimmer of hope but also showed the world that the curse was on its way to being broken. The Red Sox went on to win the next three games, securing their place in the World Series. In the World Series, they faced the St. Louis Cardinals and took the series in a dominant four-game sweep. The curse was officially broken, and the Red Sox were crowned champions. The win not only brought joy to the players and fans but also had a profound impact on the city of Boston. The curse had become a defining part of the city's sports identity, and breaking it brought a renewed sense of hope and pride. The Red Sox continued their success in the years following their historic 2004 win, capturing two more World Series titles in 2007 and 2013. While the curse may be broken, its legacy will forever be a part of Red Sox history. It serves as a reminder of the team's resilience and the power of perseverance. The curse is finally broken, and the Red Sox will forever be champions..
Reviews for "The Red Sox's curse-breaking victory: The end of an era of disappointment."
1. John - 1 star - I was really excited to read "The curse is broken for the red sox" as a die-hard baseball fan. However, I was extremely disappointed with the overall writing style and lack of depth in the story. The characters felt one-dimensional and the plot was predictable. I was hoping for more of a thrilling and emotional journey, but unfortunately, the book failed to deliver.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I must admit, I had high expectations for "The curse is broken for the red sox" given its promising title. However, the story fell short on many levels. The pacing was slow, and it was hard to stay engaged throughout the book. The dialogue between the characters felt forced, and there were several plot holes that were never properly addressed. Overall, I felt let down by this novel and wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. Mike - 2 stars - As someone who enjoys sports-themed books, I was excited to read "The curse is broken for the red sox." However, I found myself struggling to connect with the characters and the story. The writing lacked depth and failed to create any significant emotional impact. Additionally, the narrative itself was disjointed and lacked a cohesive structure. Overall, the book failed to capture my interest and left me feeling unfulfilled as a reader.