Most people with a basic knowledge of the game have heard about the Babe Ruth Curse. For anyone new to the topic, the thumbnail version is as follows: After the Babe was sold to the Yankees before the 1920 campaign, the Red Sox failed to win another World Series for the remainder of the twentieth century. They had some great teams and marquee players. They had their fair share of opportunities, capturing four pennants between 1946 and 1986. But something always happened on the road to baseball’s most coveted title. When conventional wisdom failed to properly explain the second-longest dry spell in major league history (behind the long-suffering Chicago Cubs), sportswriters began to consider the supernatural.
The
initial idea of a curse was proposed by New
York Times sportswriter George Vecsey after Boston’s heart-breaking loss to
the Mets in 1986. The Sox had been on the verge of clinching the Series before
a routine grounder went through the legs of sure-handed first baseman Bill
Buckner in the tenth inning of Game 6. Vecsey’s alleged curse gained momentum
in 1990, when Boston Globe columnist
Dan Shaughnessy published his seminal work, The
Curse of the Bambino. From that point on, the concept became firmly
embedded in popular culture.
In
2004, the Red Sox finally ended their long championship drought with a World
Series victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. They have added three more titles
since then, making them the most successful franchise of the 21st century (to
date). Though no one talks much about “The Curse” anymore, it’s interesting to
note that Ruth was not the only player generously donated to the Yankees by
former Red Sox owner Harry Frazee. In fact, Frazee’s frivolous trades kept the
New Yorkers in contention for many years.
Before
assuming a controlling interest in the BoSox, Frazee made a fortune in the
performing arts. He opened a Chicago theater in 1907 and followed with the
construction of a New York City venue a few years later. He also gained control
of Boston’s Arlington Theater, producing a string of hit musicals. In 1916, he
expanded his interests to the world of baseball. His ill-advised transactions
transformed the Red Sox from champions to non-contenders. Beginning in 1920,
the team finished in fifth place or lower for 14 consecutive seasons. And by
the end of the 20th century, the Yankees had won 25 championships to Boston’s
five.
Though
the infamous “Curse” will forever be associated with Ruth, the following player
transactions helped the Yankees capture six pennants during the 1920s:
December
of 1918
Frazee traded pitchers Ernie Shore and Dutch Leonard
to the Yankees along with outfielder Duffy Lewis. Leonard was sold to the
Tigers and Shore saw limited action, but Lewis had two excellent seasons in New
York.
July
of 1919
Frazee sent pitcher Carl Mays to the Yankees to
complete an earlier deal. Mays won 80 games for New York over portions of five
seasons.
December
of 1919
Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees for a record
$100,000. His lifetime home run record stood for nearly 40 years.
December
of 1920
Frazee dealt pitcher Waite Hoyt and catcher Wally
Schang to the Yankees. Hoyt forged a Hall of Fame career in New York while
Schang established himself as one of the top offensive catchers in the American
League.
December
of 1921
Shortstop Everett Scott became a Yankee along with
pitchers Joe Bush and Sam Jones. Scott was named captain of the Yankees in
1922. Jones averaged 13 wins per year over 5 seasons and Bush posted a 62-38
record during his three-year stint in the Bronx.
July
of 1922
Frazee parted ways with infielder Joe Dugan. Dugan
served as the Yankees’ primary third baseman for the better part of seven
seasons. He was a clutch performer in World Series play.
January
of 1923
Pitcher Herb Pennock was traded from Boston to New
York. He won no fewer than 16 games in six consecutive seasons and ended up in
the Hall of Fame.
A more detailed version of this story appears in my latest book, Lore of the Bambino: 100 Great Babe Ruth Stories, available through The Lyons Press.
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