Boston banish Babe’s curse and KO arch-rivals Yankees

No NBA team has ever erased a 3-0 deficit to win a series and it has only occurred twice in the NHL, the last time by the New York Islanders in 1975. Reveling in the stunning American League series comeback, Red Sox supporters believe they can finally break the ‘‘curse of the Bambino’’.

Without a World Series title since 1918, Red Sox faithful have been haunted by the curse inflicted on them when owner Harry Frazee sold Babe Ruth to the hated Yankees in 1920 to finance a Broadway play.

For 86 years the Red Sox have dragged their tortured fans through a painful history of missed opportunities, bringing them to edge of ecstasy only to leave them heartbroken. Since that fateful trade, the Yankees have gone on to win 26 World Series while Boston have been relegated to baseball purgatory.

‘‘There has been a lot of heartache in Boston the last couple of decades but I think this is such a sweet victory it makes up for it’’, Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said. ‘‘On behalf of the fans of Red Sox who never lost faith with this team, what an historic achievement.’’

The Red Sox returned home to wild celebrations and begin preparations for Game One of the World Series scheduled for Saturday at Fenway Park against either the Houston Astros or St Louis Cardinals.

‘‘The greatest comeback in baseball history’’, Red Sox owner John Henry said proudly. ‘‘We have the greatest fans, this is for you Boston.’’

With every historic comeback, however, there is an historic collapse.

The Yankees, the richest team in baseball with a $184 million payroll, became the first to squander a 3-0 lead. After sweeping the first three games of the series, including a 19-8 drubbing in Game Three, the Yankees sat just three outs away in Game Four from returning to the fall classic only to fall 6-4 in 12 innings then watch their advantage further slip away with a 14-inning loss in Game Five.

‘‘We never took them for granted, even up three games to none’’, said Yankee manager Joe Torre. ‘‘We just couldn’t close the deal.’’

GREAT SPORTING RIVALRIES

Football
Barcelona v Real Madrid
Rooted in political rivalry, Catalonia against the ruling Castillians, and heightened by Franco’s diktat that Real were the ‘‘national club’’. Passions stoked by Figo’s defection led to shortage of pig’s heads in the market

Rowing
Oxford v Cambridge
Two great university towns choose an arcane sport to symbolise their rivalry. Still attracts the world’s best, and produces Olympic gold-winners like Matthew Pinsent. They also play cricket but without that effect

Cricket
England-Australia
Still the game’s greatest rivalry, despite more recent claimants in the neighbourhood. Lots of great history but too one-sided in the past 20-odd years. Sadly for in-form England, the next series is a year away

American Football
Green Bay Packers v Chicago Bears
The hucksters from Wisconsin up against the sharp, smart hustlers from the industrial belt. Everyone’s heard of the Packers’ legendary coach Vince Lombardi, but George Halas of the Bears is also an all-time great