Source: Liverpool_Echo
Boston Red Sox history full of glorious triumphs and unreal defeats
THE Boston Red Sox are one of the most famous and storied franchises in all of American sports.[LNB]Their history is littered with tremendous triumphs and devastating defeats, some in the most unbelievable of circumstances.[LNB]Not unlike Liverpool Football Club, in fact.[LNB] Their fan base is vast. Indeed, it's known as Red Sox Nation as it extends far beyond the team's geographical home in New England.[LNB]And the team's greatest rival just happens to be the New York Yankees, themselves linked commercially with Liverpool's biggest foe, Manchester United. An interesting coincidence for fans to ponder.[LNB]Moreover, in 2002, Red Sox president Larry Lucchino won favour with Boston fans everywhere when he described the Yankees as the 'Evil Empire' after missing out on a deal to sign pitcher Jose Contreras.[LNB]I wonder if Liverpool fans regard the Red Devils down the other end of the East Lancs Road in the same way? Probably.[LNB]Over the years, the Red Sox, despite having some of the game's greatest-ever players, have missed out on the biggest of prizes.[LNB]That infamous era became known as the 'Curse of the Bambino'.[LNB]Late in 1919, the Red Sox sold their best player, George Herman 'Babe' Ruth, on the orders of the team's owner, Harry Frazee, to the Yankees.[LNB]The reasons for the trade have been debated over the years, one of them being Frazee needed the funds to help finance a Broadway musical he was producing.[LNB]What is certain is that between that date and 2004, the Red Sox suffered a catalogue of heartbreaking losses which many people believed was a curse for getting shot of the Babe.
