Review of "Reversing the Curse"

Normally, I do not post reviews of books that are nearly 20 years old, but I picked this up on Kindle Unlimited for reading on a bus trip to Fenway Park, so it just seemed right to do so.  I was thoroughly entertained by this book, with a definite Red Sox slant, but it was hard to put down.  Glad I decided on this one - and oh, by the way, the Red Sox won the game 1-0. 

Title/Author: “Reversing the Curse: Inside the 2004 Boston Red Sox” by Dan Shaughnessy

Rating: 5 of 5 stars (excellent)

Review:  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.

Link:  https://www.amazon.com/Reversing-Curse-Inside-2004-Boston/dp/0618711910/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0