Mike Torrez Signed MLB baseball w/Curse of the BambinoInsc | Compare Prices and Alternatives

The 1978 season was another contentious one between the Yankees and Red Sox. The two teams had been the representatives for the AL in the World Series the last three years, with the Red Sox losing in 1975, the Yankees losing in 1976, and the Yankees winning in 1977. The two teams ended up with tied records in the AL East at 99-63 after the Yankees lost to the Indians to end on a 6-1 run, while the Red Sox won all of their last 7 games to force the tiebreaker.

Torrez, who had been with the Yankees in 1977, had joined the Red Sox in 1978, and started the tiebreaker. With the Red Sox up 2-0, Torrez let up a crushing three run home run to Bucky Dent, who had only four home runs up to that point. This moment cemented Dent's place in Yankees' history, and forever made him an object of hatred for Red Sox fans. The Yankees would eventually take a 5-2 lead, but the Red Sox scored two runs in the 8th to make it 5-4. While the Red Sox had a runner in scoring position in the 9th, Goose Gossage forced Carl Yastrzemski to pop out to Graig Nettles, securing a victory for the Yankees and knocking the Red Sox out of the playoffs. The Yankees would go on to win another championship, their 22nd overall.

Fans of the Red Sox saw the loss as an actual representation of the famous "Curse of the Bambino," as they were knocked out of the playoffs and were forced to watch their bitter rivals win yet another World Series. Torrez has inscribed that famous curse onto this ball with his signature. Given his spot on the Yankees' World Series winning team the year before, it is the perfect item for any fan of the Yankees to add to their collection.

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