Can Red Sox end "The Curse"? Why not?

nbcsports.com ^ | 9/25/03 | Ron Borges

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Why not? That’s what the thinking is in Boston this year. It’s as simple as that really. Simple as saying why not and believing it.

     Every time the Red Sox rally in some miraculous way, as they did on Tuesday with a two-out, two-strike three-run homer by Todd Walker that tied the score in the bottom of the ninth, and a solo shot by David Ortiz the very next inning, they grow more sure of themselves. They grow more willing to say what the pessimists in New England always had an answer for. In the Red Sox clubhouse they say, “Why not?” all the time, and this September not many people in Boston are ready to argue with them. In that eventual 6-5 victory over the Orioles, few of the 33,723 fans at Fenway Park had left the park when Walker stroked his line drive home run. They stayed not because they had nothing better to do. They stayed because they believe, too. “Did you notice that with two outs in the bottom of the ninth there were virtually no empty seats in the house,” asked Red Sox owner John Henry. “It’s like everyone was expecting us to win this game.”

     Why not? Don’t waste your time talking to Pedro Martinez about the “Curse of the Bambino”. Don’t try telling Manny Ramirez about how his team once sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees and nothing has been the same since. Don’t recite the long list of last-second screwups and broken hearts that have allowed 84 years to pass since the Red Sox last won a World Series. Don’t talk about 1918 to Walker or Ortiz or Jason Varitek or even Lou Merloni, who grew up just down the Turnpike suffering like everyone else from New England. Don’t bother Byung-Hyun Kim, the Red Sox’s closer, with any of that nonsense either because he doesn’t speak much English, and even if he did he wouldn’t listen. As the playoffs approach and the Red Sox remain alive despite the fact the New York Yankees held them off to win the AL East crown, they have reason to believe this could be the year. For once the reasons are on the field and not in some hired shaman’s bag or boiling in a Salem witch’s brew. This time the Red Sox believe in themselves because they have the league’s best pitcher in Pedro Martinez, along with a solid rotation that includes Derek Lowe, who seems to be getting hot at the right moment, too.

     Sure they have an unsettled bullpen, but nearly every playoff team has an unsettled bullpen. The fact is manager Grady Little will let his starters go longer once the postseason begins. That in itself should eliminate some of the problems caused at times by Kim, Mike Timlin, Brandon Lyon, Scott Sauerbeck and the rest of the pyromaniacs who gather nightly in the Boston bullpen.

     But most of all, the Red Sox believe in their bats. Not because they are like the free-swinging power hitters they’ve had so many years before, but because they are not. This year they have what are known as “professional hitters” throughout their lineup. By that we mean guys who take pitches, foul off pitches, stay alive at the plate, find ways to get on base and remain unruffled no matter who is pitching.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Did anyone else catch the HBO presentation of "The Curse of The Bambino" the other last week? It was very, very good. And very painful to watch.

[cookcounty]

Hey! It's the Cubs that have The Curse. What are you trying to pull, here?

[conservativemusician]

I would like to see a Sox-Cubs World Series.

Being a Met fan, nothing makes me happier than watching the Yanks get beat in the first round.

[camle]

they ask this question every year, and every year the red sox provide the same answer. what makes this year so different?

face it - the red sox will never again win the series, even if they manage get into it.

[Reagan79]

Having been a Red Sox fan since I was 7 then is obviously by far one of the best teams. The bullpen however has me on my knees at least twice a night. I also think getting by Oakland will be rather tough. Well if we don't when this year of course I will cry, but we really need a few pitchers to really step it up. Please pray for the Red Sox. God just might decide to be a Boston fan this fall.

[theDentist]

Same reason as before:

[camle]

the red sox slogan "Wait till next year"

[over3Owithabrain]

If the Sox-Cubs wind up in the World Series, prepare for the End of the World. There's no way that series reaches a conclusion...

[geege]

The Mets....hehehehehe.....baseball's joke

[harpseal]

I had a really hard time watching Bill Bruckner with Bib Stanley on the mound.

[sticker]

The Red Sox will win the World Series about the same time that the dumba@@es in MA stop voting for a freaking kennedy, herman munster and a queer. In other words NEVER

[conservativemusician]

Actually that would be the Tigers.

It's so easy being a Yankee fan, ain't it?

[NonValueAdded]

ping

[geege]

It's more fun and exciting then easy:0)

[baseballmom]

We gave up HBO, so I missed this. Sounds like a good show.

I'm beside myself over my Phillies. So close.... again. We rallied for 5 in the 8th last night - and came up 1 short. Oh, the pain.

[Quick Shot]

Do'ya know the difference 'tween a Fenway Park hot dog and a Yankee Stadium hot dog????

You can get a Yankee Stadium hot dog in October....

[NonValueAdded]

'“Did you notice that with two outs in the bottom of the ninth there were virtually no empty seats in the house,” asked Red Sox owner John Henry. “It’s like everyone was expecting us to win this game.” '

Damn! There it is, John Henry just cursed another season.

No, John, they are all there to see the train wreck, they are all there because they are drawn to the spectacle of death in the ring, they watch NASCAR for the wrecks - come on, be honest - they are there because they are waiting to see how and when the big fold will happen. And for the umpteenth year, I will be watching too, hoping against hope that this year will be the one.

[SamAdams76]

Then why is it that New Yorkers can vote for people like Hillary Clinton and other Marxist-liberals and win the World Series just about every year. Your theory makes no sense.

[frithguild]

My Dad was born in '28 in Fall River, Ma. He listened to all of the Red Sox games on the radio and remained a lifelong fan. He could tell you the rosters for most years. He passed on Feb 1 this year. I think he's traveling with the team.

[mikemc282002]

I went last night. Beautiful warm early fall night....Seattle loses...Sox primed to clinch the final AL playoff spot....5-0 Orioles before I reach my seat.

Any other questions?