In the annals of sports history, curses have haunted sports teams, casting long shadows over their ambitions and victories. One such curse that gripped the San Francisco Giants dates back to 1918, when a man named Eddie Grant met a tragic end during World War I. The story of the Curse of Coogan’s Bluff, although not well-known outside of baseball circles, is a tale of historical significance that would trouble the franchise for decades.
Eddie Grant was not a baseball legend in his era, but he was a solid and respected player who spent ten seasons in the Major Leagues from 1905 to 1915. His final three seasons were with the New York Giants, and it was with this team that he would be immortalized in baseball lore. Tragically, Grant became the first Major Leaguer to lose his life in World War I. To honor his sacrifice, the Giants erected a monument in his memory at the Polo Grounds, their home stadium.
The Giants seemed to flourish after Grant’s plaque was installed in 1921, securing consecutive World Series victories in 1921 and 1922, with additional championships in 1933 and 1954. Grant’s presence, although posthumous, appeared to bring good fortune to the franchise.
But in 1957, the New York Giants made a seismic decision that would initiate the curse that has haunted them for decades. They chose to leave New York, their home for decades, and embark on a new journey across the country, becoming the San Francisco Giants. The last game at the Polo Grounds, their New York home, marked the beginning of a turbulent chapter in the team’s history.
During the transition, something inexplicable happened. Grant’s commemorative plaque mysteriously vanished from the Polo Grounds. The curse that would later bear his name seemed to have taken root, as the Giants endured a lengthy championship drought. In the years following their relocation to San Francisco, the franchise faced numerous disappointments, including World Series losses in 1962 and 1971.
Then came the notorious 1989 World Series, a contest between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics. This series is etched in memory not only for the baseball but for a seismic event that occurred off the field. The devastating Loma Prieta earthquake struck the San Francisco Bay Area, postponing the series by ten days. The Giants would go on to be swept by the Athletics, further fueling the belief in the Curse of Coogan’s Bluff.
The early 2000s brought a resurgence of hope to Giants fans. In 2002, they clinched a spot in the World Series, and the team’s destiny seemed to be changing. However, in Game 6, with a commanding 5-0 lead, the Giants inexplicably allowed the Anaheim Angels to score six unanswered runs. The loss in Game 6 would become one of the greatest comebacks in World Series history, leading to another heart-wrenching defeat for the Giants. The franchise was still plagued by the curse, unable to capture a championship.
Finally, in 2006, the Giants’ ownership decided to take action to break the curse. They erected a new plaque honoring Eddie Grant at their stadium in San Francisco, believing it was necessary to appease the superstitious fears of fans and players alike.
The effect was nothing short of remarkable. In 2010, 52 years after their relocation to San Francisco, the Giants triumphed in the World Series against the Texas Rangers. The long-awaited championship marked the end of the Curse of Coogan’s Bluff. The Giants’ success did not stop there, as they secured two more World Series titles in 2012 and 2014.
Eddie Grant’s plaque, returned to its rightful place, appeared to have quelled the curse that had haunted the Giants for decades. The team’s fortunes had changed, and the shadows of their history were dispelled, once and for all.
