It is no secret that Boston’s Red Sox were once one of the most successful teams when the sport first began. If you do not believe me, the team won five out of the first 15 World Series trophies. But, as fate would have it, that soon ended after the 1918 season on the backend of trading The Great Bambino to the New York Yankees. Since fate works in mysterious ways, the New York Yankees would take over the title of most beloved team and win the 1923 World Series.
Across the river, Boston would not win another title for nearly 90 years.
Since sports fans are some of the most superstitious bunches out there, it should not come as a shock that Boston fans thought their team was cursed. The curses official title came about though in the 90s when Boston writer Dan Shaughnessy wrote a book about it.
By then, several teams felt they were cursed including the Chicago Cubs and a certain goat.
In fact, the curse held so many fans down they tried to break it. Fans broke into Babe Ruth’s private property to try and execute a “make-good” while actual witches performed ceremonies in front of his door. Other fans simply tried to pray the curse away. All were very unsuccessful and albeit a tad weird.
It was not until 2004 that something would happen that would break the curse so bad Boston would see their first title.
A teenager attending the Red Sox vs. Yankees game in August of that year had his two front teeth knocked out by a foul ball hit by Manny Ramirez. It just so happened that teenager lived in Babe Ruth’s old house. That day, the Yankees were defeated. The next week would see the Red Sox win the series against the navy and white. The next month would see the Red Sox claim the World Series title.
Since then, the Red Sox have gone on to become a top team in the MLB again. While not necessarily always the best team that year, loyal fans can now say they have won three additional titles since that fateful day in 2004.
Today, there is little to no mention of the curse…until Boston loses a game, that is.
