The Curse of the Bambino

Dan Shaughnessy. Penguin Books, $12.95 (240pp) ISBN 978-0-14-015262-3

Four World Series defeats and two playoff losses are among the numerous misfortunes that have befallen the Boston Red Sox in the 70 years since their sale of Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. ``In story after story of near-triumph, the book should delight the team's most fanatically loyal followers, who will find it the verbal equivalent of a hair shirt,'' said PW . (Apr.)

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