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Reversing the Curse: Inside the 2004 Boston Red Sox
Reversing the Curse preserves one of the greatest sports stories of our lifetime for all posterity with an absorbing account of the Red Sox’s championship season. A more epic sports saga could not have been here we have the curse that began with Babe Ruth; a team of comeback kids determined to prove their mettle; the Yankees-Sox rivalry, one of the greatest in sports history; and, finally, the first World Series victory for the Sox since 1918.
Dan Shaughnessy captures the Sox triumph in all its drama and euphoria with penetrating insight, a keen sense of history, and unparalleled insider access. With photographs by the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Stan Grossfeld, Reversing the Curse is the definitive record of a landmark moment in baseball history.
Dan Shaughnessy captures the Sox triumph in all its drama and euphoria with penetrating insight, a keen sense of history, and unparalleled insider access. With photographs by the Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Stan Grossfeld, Reversing the Curse is the definitive record of a landmark moment in baseball history.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
23 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Dan Shaughnessy
17 books28 followersDan Shaughnessy is an award-winning columnist for the Boston Globe and the author of several sports books, including The Curse of the Bambino, a best-selling classic. Seven times Shaughnessy has been voted one of America’s top ten sports columnists by Associated Press Sports Editors and named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year. He has appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Early Show, CNN, Nightline, NPR, Imus in the Morning, ESPN, HBO, and many others. He lives in Newton, Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 13, 2025
Before 2004, mention the Boston Red Sox to nearly any baseball fan and immediately, the word “curse” will be brought into the conversation. For 86 years, it was believed that the franchise was “cursed” (or fill in whatever else will fit for a lengthy time frame without a championship) until that magical fall when just about everyone who follows baseball, save for New York Yankee fans, were happy when the Red Sox finally won the World Series. This book, written by veteran Boston sportswriter Dan Shaughnessy, brings that crazy season to life.
What struck me about this book is not the overly-zealous bias toward the Red Sox, nor the frequent criticism of certain players like Derek Lowe and Pedro Martinez (both of these were expected and the two pitchers did have some struggles in 2004), nor the complete coverage of the “reversing” of the curse, as that was to be expected as well. What I really liked about the book is how it could come across as humorous for those readers who, like me, really did not have a strong rooting interest for either the Red Sox or Yankees but nonetheless got caught up in what was one of the most intense years of this “greatest rivalry in sports.” You may agree or disagree with that statement, but it is part of the book.
The research and interviews are very good – yes, some may simply have been quotes already printed, but they still made for great reading. This includes my favorite part of the book, which really did not involve 2004 until later, but the chapter on the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. This story about the teams’ two star catchers in the 1970’s, Carlton Fisk of the Red Sox and Thurman Munson of the Yankees, is the best example of what made that chapter fun to read. Munson was upset that he led Fisk in every statistical category in one of their seasons except for assists. So, in the game that day, Munson purposely avoided catching the ball on the first three Boston batters who struck out. Instead, he picked up the ball and threw to first to retire the batter. Three additional assists – that put Munson ahead and he was not shy to show his pleasure in that accomplishment.
Of course, the book builds up to the climax of the baseball season that year, the American League Championship Series (ALCS) in which the Red Sox became the first team to win a seven-game series after losing the first three. That it occurred against the Yankees made it seem even more amazing to Red Sox Nation. To Shaughnessy’s credit, while practically all felt that the subsequent World Series (which the Red Sox won with a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals) was anti-climatic after the dramatic ALCS, the author covered that with just as much detail, enthusiasm, and entertaining stories as he did the ALCS and the rest of that remarkable season for the Red Sox. If there are any Red Sox fans who have not read this book, it is highly recommended. Not advised for Yankee fans. If the reader is a fan for one of the other 28 teams, then read it for good information and entertainment.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
What struck me about this book is not the overly-zealous bias toward the Red Sox, nor the frequent criticism of certain players like Derek Lowe and Pedro Martinez (both of these were expected and the two pitchers did have some struggles in 2004), nor the complete coverage of the “reversing” of the curse, as that was to be expected as well. What I really liked about the book is how it could come across as humorous for those readers who, like me, really did not have a strong rooting interest for either the Red Sox or Yankees but nonetheless got caught up in what was one of the most intense years of this “greatest rivalry in sports.” You may agree or disagree with that statement, but it is part of the book.
The research and interviews are very good – yes, some may simply have been quotes already printed, but they still made for great reading. This includes my favorite part of the book, which really did not involve 2004 until later, but the chapter on the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. This story about the teams’ two star catchers in the 1970’s, Carlton Fisk of the Red Sox and Thurman Munson of the Yankees, is the best example of what made that chapter fun to read. Munson was upset that he led Fisk in every statistical category in one of their seasons except for assists. So, in the game that day, Munson purposely avoided catching the ball on the first three Boston batters who struck out. Instead, he picked up the ball and threw to first to retire the batter. Three additional assists – that put Munson ahead and he was not shy to show his pleasure in that accomplishment.
Of course, the book builds up to the climax of the baseball season that year, the American League Championship Series (ALCS) in which the Red Sox became the first team to win a seven-game series after losing the first three. That it occurred against the Yankees made it seem even more amazing to Red Sox Nation. To Shaughnessy’s credit, while practically all felt that the subsequent World Series (which the Red Sox won with a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals) was anti-climatic after the dramatic ALCS, the author covered that with just as much detail, enthusiasm, and entertaining stories as he did the ALCS and the rest of that remarkable season for the Red Sox. If there are any Red Sox fans who have not read this book, it is highly recommended. Not advised for Yankee fans. If the reader is a fan for one of the other 28 teams, then read it for good information and entertainment.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
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November 2, 2018Reversing the Curse by Dan Shaughnessy is a great book. It brings us through the journey of the 2004 World Series Champs, the Red Sox, and their struggles to get there. It also talks about some of the relationships on the team. A major one is Manny and Tito (Terry Francona). They were great friends. I would recommend this book to someone who likes baseball and the Red Sox
April 27, 2020
I’ve reread this book so many times over the years. The way it describes that mythical Red Sox season is almost poetic. Gets me every time.
November 5, 2023
As a card carrying member of Red Sox Nation, this was a book I wanted to read. I should have known better. Dan Shaughnessy is an arrogant Sox Blowhard and coated this book with his personal biases, Nomar Garciaparra and Derek Lowe among them. He absolutely trashes these guys (all of them not perfect and probably deserve it) but, he should have stayed neutral. Meh.
C-
C-
July 31, 2018
Normally not a fan of Dan’s work, even as a Red Sox fan. But this was too good, maybe because it still felt so good to finally have a championship in Boston, or maybe because he wasn’t slandering my favorite players, who knows! A good re-telling with lots of fun background stories.
November 17, 2018
Having never read this book in 2004, I decided to now. It was a wonderful way to remember that very special Wold Series win!! (I am a die hard Red Sox fan.) I loved remembering all the games and learning about things I missed at the time.
April 6, 2019
The greatest season
Shaughessy writes with knowledge an passion about baseballs greatest season, every citizen of the Red Sox Nation must read this book
Shaughessy writes with knowledge an passion about baseballs greatest season, every citizen of the Red Sox Nation must read this book
December 25, 2019
A wonderful rendering of my favourite sports event ever.
December 7, 2015
Reversing the curse by Dan Shaughnessy was what I expected. It went through the major stories of the early 2000 Red Sox. The story gives you an in depth look at the team and the thoughts of the fans during that time. Growing up near Boston and supporting the Boston Red Sox may persuade my thoughts of the book but I still think it would be enjoyable for everyone who likes sports or just baseball. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy a good sports story.
March 20, 2008
Some pundit once said that "Baseball is Life." Little did he know how correct he was! Inside look at the BoSox -- does it explain it all? Naw, but go and read anyway.
October 29, 2008
I love it. It shows what I love about baseball with all the history, statistics, and more. I really can bring out the best and worst of baseball, Which I love
January 29, 2010
this book was interesting to read because the author gives good information about the history of the events in the book
September 5, 2011
A very entertaining light read for my vacation. Some fun tidbits I hadn't known about various members of the team, and always a fun story to revisit!
January 11, 2013
I enjoyed it but as a Red Sox fan, I am a little biased.
June 9, 2009
a little self-serving since the author invented the Curse but a good read
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews