Reverse the curse: Is this sign a sign?

April 18, 2004

The "Reverse curve" sign on Storrow Drive as it appeared until last week, when the graffiti was painted over. (Photo / Judith Hourihan)

The ancient "Reverse curve" sign above westbound Storrow Drive at the Longfellow Bridge, which long ago was altered by graffiti to read "Reverse the curse," was recently cleaned up, and some Red Sox fans aren't happy. They say the sign could bring good luck to the Sox, who haven't won a World Series since 1918 and who some say have been cursed since they sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees. The folks over at the Department of Conservation and Recreation, who manage Storrow Drive (and are Sox fans themselves), argue that if the altered sign hasn't brought the Sox a World Series yet, maybe it's actually a bad omen.

Now we want to hear from you: What should be done about the sign? DCR suggests the following three options:

1. Keep the current sign and continue to correct the sign each time it is altered.

2. Remove the old sign because it hasn't broken the curse yet and may, in fact, be contributing to its continuance. Install a new sign that meets federal highway standards (yellow diamond with pictograph).

3. Remove the old sign, find the employees who installed it, and have them present it to the Red Sox as a means of breaking the curse.

Tell us which option you prefer, or weigh in with an original suggestion of your own.

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Why can't the sign stay where it is? It is a piece of the Boston culture, history, and a glimmer of hope to all the Redsox Nation. If Mass must change the sign then leave the 'Reverse the Curse' sign up and put in their more 'friendly' sign. There is no reason why both signs can't coexist. One of the signs that have been taken down in the past should be presented to the Redsox during the next Yankee series.

Chris, Pawtucket

Repaint it to "Reverse Curve," hang it in the visitors' bullpen.

Bob , Fort Lauderdale, FL

I say leave the sign the way it is with the graffiti and present it to the "evil empire and the New york Post- the real keepers of the "curse" and"1918"BS ,after the Sox win it all!!

Rayzor , Mt.Jackson ,Va

I think that the old sign should be removed, auctioned off and the proceeds donated to the Jimmy Fund. The new sign should conform with Federal standards. The old one was difficult to read when driving at the crazy Storrow Drive speeds anyway. Thanks.

Jennifer , Cambridge

Keep the old sign. The key to these sorts of traditions is to let them go on unforced. The Rec Department will just have to get used to fixing the sign. To present the sign to the Red Sox in a showy way would be unauthentic; that sort of stunt one would expect of a newer baseball town like Atlanta, Tampa or Denver.

Steven, Boston

Keep the sign. I don't know if it'll break the curse or not, but every time I drive under it I get a shot of red sox pride in knowing how Boston has always had the best ball team in Baseball, despite the horrid love/hate relationship that Boston has with the curse.

ben, newton, MA

Since I don't believe in reverse curves, I would prefer a sign that says, REVERSE THE CURSE. Reverse the curse is a more realistic term. What is a reverse curve anyway?

John, Nashua, NH

It hasn't worked yet!!! So, who cares? Boston needs a good painting and cleaning anyway, so I'm glad they started with the ugly graffiti.

Lisa, Lynn

If people want to attach to old convictions thinking the Red Sox will get good luck from an inanimate object then let them be that way so things will never change. Once the change comes from inside all the people and players it will manifest outside themselves. Life does not need to be changed. Only our intent and actions do. I agree with options 2 and 3.

Gary, Quincy

Put it back the way it was!!!!!!!!!

Charlie, York, ME