The official...the Curse isn't dead yet thread.

[FoulkeLore]

Originally posted by bakntime
There may not be a "real" curse, but as I have posted before, in a way it does exist, if there are players on either team that believe in it. The belief by a Red Sox player that just maybe they are destined to fail can result in that one play that is the difference maker - one critical error or strike out in a big situation that costs them a victory. In addition, players on the opposing team might feel that much more energized if they feel at any point that they have the upper hand because of the curse, giving them extra confidence, etc.

Now, I'm not suggesting that there are necessarily players that believe this on either the Cardinals or the Red Sox, but the possibility certainly exists, and we know that confidence can be a critical aspect of success in this sport. So in that regard, "the curse" can and does exist in a way.

Blasphemy!

I understand your logic but both your suggestion of, and the theory itself are merely just that--theory and suggestion IMO. I understand that you are saying the curse, while not an actual hex affecting the outcome of the game with complete absolution, could still exist in a player's psyche, thus changing his mental focus on either a given task in front of him at any point of the game or the main task and objective of winning the game or series for that matter.

While these people competing in this game are human and subject to their own individual thoughts as opposed to being mindless and brainwashed by an overall team goal-oriented mindset, they are trained athletes and have, IMHO, not only superior physical abilities to the common man but also superior mental focus when it comes to performance under pressure.

What all of my verbal diarreah means in short, is that, do I think you have a point? Yes (and a good one, at least backing up your case with some logic as opposed to stating simply, "Of course their is a curse!! GO CARDS!)

Do I think it will play a factor? Not at all

[ColombiaYanksFan]

No, I actually think the Yankees have gotten lucky for a few years. For example Grady Little's big mistake, key injuries to the Redsox towards the end of the season for a few years, etc..

The Redsox have actually been better for many years, but something unfortunate always kept the 2nd to the Yankees, except for this year.

This year, what has happened to the Redsox throughout the years, actually happened to the Yankees: Olerud gets injured at a major key time in the playoffs. Giambi was out for the playoffs. Brown never recovered fully from his injuries. Karsay never pitched in the postseason etc...

[montyque]

Curse. Curse. Cuuuuuuuuuuurse.

[RIREDSOXFAN]

Originally posted by whalers


So your saying beating the yankees is better than winning the WS. What are you smoking cause I want some! The goal of every season is to win it all not to come up big in the ALCS and then blow it in the WS. This will definitely go down as one of the best sox seasons ever but until they win it all 1918 will be the best sox season to date.

Actually, I quit smoking two years ago!
Since I wasn't alive in 1918, I don't give a rat's ass about it. Of course I want them to win the WS, but if they don't, it will still be the best season ever! in my opinion. Interesting fact. The four times the Red Sox played in the World Series and lost, they played the best team in terms of won-loss record in those DECADES. The 1946 Cardinals, 1967 Cardinals, 1975 Reds and 1986 Mets all had the best W-L records in the NL of the entire decade.
The 2004 Cardinals have the best record so far this decade. It's not like the Red Sox have been going to the WS and losing to lousy teams.
They've played very tough competition and lost in seven games each time. More eveidence that this alleged "Curse" is nothing more than fiction. If they lose this year, it will be because they lost to a better team.
No matter what, I'll be smiling.

[OCaptainMyCaptain]

Originally posted by Bub
I don't see any Bs on the Cardinals. That's not good. Maybe Bucky Dent can interfere with a ground rule double that would cost them the series?

It doesn't have to be a B on the opposing team; it can be a B on the same team who screws up like Buckner. So Bronson Arroyo, Mark Bellhorn or Bill Mueller could possibly be the next name on a T-shirt.

[Jody]

The Sox won't win, they will choke.

[bakntime]

Originally posted by FoulkeLore
What all of my verbal diarreah means in short, is that, do I think you have a point? Yes (and a good one, at least backing up your case with some logic as opposed to stating simply, "Of course their is a curse!! GO CARDS!)

Do I think it will play a factor? Not at all

I can't disagree, and I believe the players as a majority aren't in the least effected by this, at least not enough to have a tangible impact on how they play. But I just can't help but think about a guy like Chuck Knoeblauch, who basically "lost it" psychologically to see how big an impact your mindset plays in this game.

Looking back, who says that the "curse" didn't play into Aaron Boone's mindset when he stepped to the plate against Wakefield? Instead of thinking about the mechanics of his swing, etc, he just let himself swing the bat, thinking that perhaps the ghosts would show up. Perhaps if there is no talk about a curse or ghosts, he doesn't get that HR, and the Sox win the next inning. Just a possibility.

Again, this is all complete speculation, and there's obviously no way I could prove this, but with all the little superstitions players have, and knowing how big a part of the game confidence is (you always hear players say "I was feeling confident at the plate," "I had confidence in my pitches," etc), I think that in that way, "the curse" can't just be flat out denied as a non-factor in the postseason.

That being said, that does not mean at all that it will necessarily have an impact. These are all major leaguers, all capable of coming up big in big games. There may be some players that are affected by their mindset that "the Sox can't win," but whether or not that actually affects their play, let alone impacts who wins the World Series is certainly only put out there as a very slight possibility.