 Ruth 's arrival in New York simultaneously launched the Yankee dynasty while ravaging the Red Sox . While the Red Sox 's five World Series titles were a record at the time , 1918 would be the team 's last championship for 86 years . Meanwhile , Ruth 's home run @-@ hitting prowess anchored the Yankee line @-@ up , which became known as " Murderers ' Row " in the late 1920s . The Yankees reached the World Series seven times during Ruth 's New York years , winning four . This abrupt reversal of fortunes for the Red Sox marked the beginning of the supposed " Curse of the Bambino . " But it was not the Ruth deal alone that reversed the fortunes of both clubs . Frazee also sold many other players to the Yankees . 
