Sports loves a good superstition - and the stories of curses that haunt teams for years. One of the most famous and enduring curses in baseball is the Curse of the Bambino, which plagued the Boston Red Sox for 86 long years. This blog post delves into the strange history of the Red Sox and explores five examples of the Curse of the Bambino, concluding with the triumphant moment when they finally broke the curse.

1. Babe Ruth's Sale to the Yankees (1919)

The Curse of the Bambino originated from the Red Sox's dumb decision to trade a young pitcher named Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1919. Ruth had shown great promise as a left-handed pitcher for the Red Sox, but due to financial constraints, the team's owner, Harry Frazee, sold him to the Yankees. This move proved disastrous for the Red Sox as Ruth went on to become one of the greatest players in baseball history, leading the Yankees to multiple World Series victories while the Red Sox languished in championship drought.

2. World Series Loss to the Cardinals (1946)

In 1946, the Red Sox faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Leading 3-2 in the series, the Red Sox were one out away from clinching the championship in Game 7. However, a series of unfortunate events, including a misplayed fly ball by outfielder Leon Culberson, led to the Cardinals scoring two runs and winning the game. This devastating loss intensified the belief in the curse and further extended the Red Sox's championship drought.

3. The Bucky Dent Home Run (1978)

The 1978 American League East tiebreaker game between the Red Sox and the Yankees is etched in baseball lore. With the game tied in the 7th inning, Yankees shortstop Bucky Dent, known for his lack of power, hit a three-run home run that barely cleared the Green Monster at Fenway Park. This unexpected turn of events propelled the Yankees to victory and ultimately cost the Red Sox a shot at the World Series. The curse seemed to have no end in sight.

4. Bill Buckner's Error (1986)

Perhaps the most infamous moment in Red Sox history occurred during the 1986 World Series against the New York Mets. With the Red Sox leading 5-3 in the 10th inning of Game 6, first baseman Bill Buckner allowed a routine ground ball to roll between his legs, allowing the tying run to score. The Mets went on to win the game and eventually took the series, leaving Red Sox fans heartbroken and further reinforcing the curse's grip on the team.

5. Aaron Boone's Walk-Off Home Run (2003)

In the 2003 American League Championship Series, the Red Sox faced their arch-rivals, the Yankees. In Game 7, with the score tied in the 11th inning, Yankees third baseman Aaron Boone crushed a walk-off home run off Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield. The Red Sox once again came agonizingly close to reaching the World Series, only to fall short. The curse appeared unbreakable, and the team's championship drought continued.

Breaking the Curse

After 86 years of heartbreak and disappointment, the Boston Red Sox finally shattered the Curse of the Bambino in 2004. Led by a resilient group of players, affectionately known as the "Idiots," the Red Sox staged an improbable comeback against the Yankees in the American League Championship Series, erasing a 3-0 series deficit to win four consecutive games. They then went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in n the World Series, securing their first championship since 1918.

The curse is officially over 🙌

What’s your favorite baseball moment? Let us know in the comments!