The Curse of the Bambino began when the Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1920, resulting in an 86-year championship drought. Similarly, the Montreal Canadiens experienced a decline after trading Patrick Roy in 1995, missing playoffs frequently since then. Roy, a key figure in the Canadiens’ success, is compared to legendary players like Maurice Richard. As the Canadiens and their fans ponder their own curse, parallels to the Red Sox’s history are unmistakable.
The Curse of the Bambino: A Historical Overview
Do you recall the legendary curse of the Bambino? On January 5, 1920, the Boston Red Sox made a historic decision to sell Babe Ruth, affectionately known as the Bambino, to the New York Yankees. Following this pivotal moment, the Red Sox faced a long period of struggle, enduring 86 years without a World Series victory, from 1918 until their triumphant return in 2004. Similarly, I believe the Montreal Canadiens are currently grappling with a curse of their own. My beliefs may venture into the realm of the spiritual, but I am convinced that a bad omen was cast upon the Tricolore when they traded Patrick Roy to the Colorado Avalanche on December 6, 1995.
The Legacy of Patrick Roy and the Canadiens’ Decline
At that time, Patrick Roy was not just a player; he was a symbol of excellence in Montreal, often referred to as Saint Patrick. He was the cornerstone behind the Canadiens’ last two Stanley Cup victories in 1986 and 1993, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs’ most valuable player each time. Roy famously encouraged his teammates, saying, “Score a goal, and I’ll take care of the rest,” reminiscent of Babe Ruth’s iconic gesture when he pointed to the outfield fence, signaling a home run.
The Canadiens have their own legends—Maurice Richard, Jean Béliveau, and Guy Lafleur—collectively known as the Holy Trinity. In my view, Patrick Roy ranks just below these icons, given his remarkable performances and the magnetic presence he held in Quebec. Together, Richard, Béliveau, Lafleur, and Roy represent the Canadiens’ legacy akin to how Mount Rushmore honors four great American presidents. However, the decision to trade Roy in 1995 marked the onset of a curse for the Montreal organization, as evidenced by the statistics. Before this trade, the Canadiens had missed the playoffs only nine times in their first 79 seasons of NHL play. The franchise was synonymous with success, much like the Red Sox during the 1910s. Post-Roy trade, the Canadiens have faced playoff exclusion 12 times in the last 28 seasons, and it seems we are on the brink of a 13th absence in the upcoming campaign.
It’s Not Over Yet The Red Sox claimed their last World Series title in 1918, only to return to the finals in 1946, facing defeat after a 28-year wait. This brings to mind the curse of Saint Patrick, as the Canadiens also experienced a similar fate. They won the Stanley Cup in 1993 with Patrick Roy but had to wait until 2021 to reach the finals again, ultimately losing after a 28-year hiatus. The Red Sox endured an 86-year wait for their next championship, while the Canadiens have now been waiting for 31 years. If Montreal were to face an 86-year drought like the Red Sox, it would push us to 2079. For 86 years, Red Sox fans pondered how to lift the curse of the Bambino. I firmly believe that Canadiens fans will soon begin to question what it will take to break the curse of Saint Patrick. Amen.