They did come close. With an opportunity to break the "Curse of the Bambino" in October, they were again denied when a controversial eighth inning decision by Manager Grady Little in Game Seven of the American League Playoffs resulted in a loss to the Yankees and cost Little his job.

But at least one Association member has seen the Red Sox win a World Series and believes "The Curse of the Bambino" is news media ballyhoo.

"I was at Fenway in September 1918 when Carl Mays went nine innings to beat the Cubs 2-1 in game 6 of the Series to give the Sox their fourth win and the Championship," said member George Conway. And since George is now age 101, with a very clear memory, there is no doubt that he was there.

"Mays and Ruth each won two series games. Ruth also played the outfield that year and I believe he led the league in homers with about a dozen."

"It wasn't a big deal in 1918... it was nothing new. I'd also seen a game in the 1916 series when the Sox beat the Dodgers. They'd also won the series in 1915 when they beat the Phillies, but I didn't get to see any of those games.

"Ruth was sold to the Yankees after 1919 and of course everyone knows the rest. I did see them (Sox) lose to the Cardinals in '46 and the Reds in '67 but there was none of that Curse baloney. Real baseball people laugh at such nonsense, but I guess it adds to the hype.

Born in 1902, George spent his early childhood in Roxbury and Dorchester, "moving several times." His mother and father were both dead by the time he was 14 and he had to drop out of school to go to work at 15.

"My first job was at Remington Typewriter for seven dollars a week. I had many jobs... a plumber's helper, a roofer and a tin knocker," he recalled. "I also worked nights in a bowling alley setting pins for three cents a string. One night some tough guys came in and walked out with our bowling balls in a bag. We couldn't call the police... it was the police strike of 1918."

He was a regular at Fenway Park when he wasn't working. "My brother Dan was an usher and used to let me in through the players' entrance. I remember Duffy's Cliff. This was a steep incline in left field in front of the wall named after Boston outfielder Duffy Lewis. Visiting outfielders often fell down running back for a fly ball."

After marrying, he found steady work at the Fore River Shipyard and went on to manage two laundries in Roslindale. This led to a job at the old Charlestown State Prison supervising the prison laundry, and subsequently the same at Walpole State Prison. Prior to retiring, he was in charge of industries sales for the Department of Correction.

A staunch union advocate, Conway was at one time treasurer of the AFSCME Union and a legislative agent for the Correction Officers Union. He was instrumental in lobbying the Heart Law for prison workers, which was signed by Governor Herter, a Republican.

Beginning at age 80, he became interested in the Senior Olympics and trained religiously for a number of events, including the javelin and shot put as well as track competition. He went on to win numerous first place medals, both at the state and national level. He still holds the world record for the 10K race walk in the 90-94 age bracket. Although he no longer competes (who would he compete with?), George still works out at the South Shore Y in Quincy when he's not playing poker at the Quincy Community Life Center.

George and his wife Loretta, who passed away in 1982, raised 8 children - 4 boys and four girls - accounting for 23 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 2 great, great grandchildren. Sons Ron and Paul, both retired Boston Police Officers, are also Association members. George now lives with his daughter Donna in Milton.

Back to baseball. George, any advice for the millions of Red Sox fans who go into a blue funk each October?

"That's easy. Baseball is a great game and should be enjoyed for what it is. Winning a World Series is nice but not the end all. The Red Sox have a solid club that's fun to watch, and if people just relax, they'll probably win a World Series or two before you know it. Of course, that's easy for me to say. After all, I've seen them win a World Series or two."