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 lived in Everett, MA for some years and although I am not a New Englander by birth I have a outside approach to this curse. The sign to the Ruth trade does not have anything to do with the Sox's mishaps over the years. The Yanks have put the better team on the field about 90% of the time . That is why they have the most championships. The Ruth trade is not the issue it is just an excuse for bad management and judgement. Keep the sign up or take it down but point the fingers at who is responsible or hang the management on Longfellow Bridge above Storrow Drive . Your curse will be reversed.

KO KIDD, Kokomo, IN

Definately present it to the Sox as a gift to hang on the inside of the Fenway Green Monster

Joe , malden

Keep the sign the way it is until October. It won't be needed then. Why ruin one of Boston's best landmarks?

Matthew, Goffstown, NH

Reverse curve????? What in the world is that supposed to mean anyway. That sign was meant to be changed... I gotta go buy some paint.

Matt, plymouth

I say keep the sign..It's a Boston tradition to say 'Reverse the Curse". The sign may or may not be helping, but it lets everyone who drives on that street know that Boston fans still believe. Boston is a pride city. All 4 of our teams(with the exception of the Pats the last few years) always almost have it. That's what gives us so much pride. The sign isn't hurting anyone, why make such a big deal out of it? If your worried about people not knowing what to do, then put up a yellow sign next to it...but keep up the sign so that everyone knows....WE LOVE THAT DIRTY WATER, BOSTON YOUR OUR HOME.

Lindsay, Brookline

Next time, change it to "Reserve the Curse", as in, We the Superstitious are reserving the Curse for ourselves. When the Red Sox win it all, the oh-so-rational Curse deniers will be barred from bragging about the breaking of any and all curses, even if the denier claims his/her denials were an integral part of beating the curse.

Paul, Jamaica Plain

Forget it and become a Yankees Fan !!!!!

Robert , Cambridge MA

I think whoever altered the sign should be fined for destroying public property?

kevin , plainville

It obviously hasn't brought the Red Sox any luck, unless you consider coming in 2nd to the Yankees for 6 straight years luck. I say burn the sign and send it to Yankee Stadium c/o The Boss. While they're at it, they should burn the bridge and build a new one for good luck. Call it the "Still, We Believe" bridge, or "The Uncursed Curve," or something witty and clever. Maybe even "Damn all your rings, the Yankees still Suck" highway. A new sign should definitely be put there, but it should actually say "Reverse the Curse" instead of the federal regulation sign. Or better yet, it could say "Damn Yankees, oh watch out for the curve coming up, it might kill you" But of course, all this is in my humble opinion. GO SOX

George, San Diego

A Boston landmark, that sign was the coolest tribute to the Sox. Modern art, if you will. In fact one time, a frantic friend from out of town called me lost in Boston. She kept reading me random street signs and telling me what she was seeing, but not until she read me "Reverse the Curse", did I know exactly where she was. I love that sign. If Boston officials really need something to paint, why don't they start with the brigdes over the Charles and if they're still bored after that, then the back of the clubs on Landsdown St. that face the Mass Pike could use a facelift as well. Keep the sign and GO SOX!

Mara, Brighton