Curse (kurs) N. 1a. An appeal for evil or misfortune to befall a person or thing. b. Evil or misfortune resulting from or as if from a curse. 2. Source of cause of evil. 3. A profane word or phrase.
Source:
American Heritage Dictionary 4th edition
September in New England means three things are certain: the days become shorter and colder, the Red Sox will find a way to disappoint us and everybody will blame “the curse of the Bambino.” I have been a Red Sox fan all of my life and I do believe that curses exist. However, I am here to boldly tell you that there is no Curse of the Bambino.
This all began in 1918 when the Red Sox won their fifth World Series title, the most of any team at that time. The star pitcher for that team was a man named George Herman Ruth, aka “The Babe” or “The Bambino.” Failing to make the World Series the following year, shortsighted owner Harry Frazee needed money to finance his girlfriend’s play, “No No Nanette”, and in order to acquire these funds he sold the Babe to the rival New York Yankees for $100,000. The Babe led the Yankees to four of their record setting 26 World Series titles, and the Red Sox have not won a title since. They have made the World Series four times, losing each time in a deciding seventh game.
Skeptics use this trade as an excuse for why the Sox continue to come up short.
The most important reason for the Red Sox’ continued failure is not a curse at all, but their lack of ability to change with the times. Fenway Park, the American League’s oldest ballpark, was designed to cater to right handed power hitters. The problem is that for decades, Red Sox management has placed too much emphasis on hitting. Only recently, with the acquisitions of Pedro Martinez in 1998 and Curt Schilling last year, has management shown the proper emphasis on pitching.
Boston’s tradition of fielding predominantly white teams left them behind for years. Jackie Robinson became the first black major leaguer in 1947, but the Red Sox did not put their first black player on the field until 1959, twelve years later – and two years after Robinson’s retirement! Decades of perceived racism caught up with the Red Sox when free-agency began in 1976. When players were given a choice of teams, they overwhelmingly denied Boston, many citing the