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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I must say that I was saddened when I saw the change to the sign on my way home last week. After long days at work and arduous drives back, it was comforting to me to be able to look up at that sign and feel the allegiance that we Bostonians possess towards our Sox! I hope the message mysteriously reappears sometime soon...

Kelly, Brighton

Keep the old sign, reverse curve? what is that anyway? you don't need a sign for that, its a windy road .. big deal.. Also there is no way possible to jinx the Red Sox anymore than they have been , right.. That sign is pretty much a landmark, I love to pass it on my way to Fenway.

Andrew, Vail Colorado

Make a new sign that reads......."REVERSE THE CURSE". perhaps the old sign with paint and "doctoring" doesn't work but a real sign would work.

anthony, Franklin

i have to say, i don't like any of the 3 options - i think the sign should be "fixed" to read "reverse the curse" like it always did, and then the federal highway sign should be put up as well- perhaps one on both sides of the bridge, along the support columns. "reverse the curse" is a boston landmark that adds a little something to everyone's drive down storrow. i still remember the first time i saw it, the amusement and satisfaction it gave me - i know many people who feel the same way. there has to be a way to retain such a unique symbol of boston living and also have a properly signed roadway.

kate, brighton

Whyy can't there 2 two signs. I went to the Easter Sunday game and when I saw that the sign was fixed it just felt wrong. The sign, which I have a picture of hanging in my New York City dorm room, is an inspriation for all of Red Sox Nation that one day the curse will be reversed and we won't have to hear about the Curse anymore.

Matt, Danvers, Ma

I really don't care what they do with the sign, because I don't believe the Red Sox are cursed, and for that matter, I don't believe in curses period. Whatever course of action they take, will have no effect on the team, and I think most people know this It is too bad they had to clean it up though, because I always felt that it represented the passion that people in Boston and all over New England have for the Red Sox. A lot of outsiders who see the sign and know what the "curse of the Bambino" is, probably find it somewhat extreme and outrageous that someone would hang off the side of a bridge just to alter the sign. But "extreme" and "outrageous" perfectly describes the passion that Sox fans have for the team, and it is something that I, personally, am proud of. Why do they have to clean it up anyway? I mean... who knows what a reverse curve is. Since they feel the need to clean the sign, then they might as well put a new one up, because people are just going to alter it again... and again and again.

John, Marblehead

that stinks. it was cult history in beantown.

Mark , jersey city, nj

The altered sign was cool, a unique slice of Boston. But to imply, even good-naturedly, that a sign or a "curse" has anything to do with what occurs on the ballfield is pathetic and boring. The entire "curse" discussion is further proof that the line between Red Sox Nation and Moron Nation is getting more blurry by the day. Thanks, Ed

Ed, Brighton

i love the sign! it should be made into a civic monument.

aL, cambridge

Re-paint the sign back to "Reverse the Curse". What's wrong with the DCR anyway? Why would they alter a landmark -- well on its way to reaching Citgo status.

Andy, Charlestown