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On this date a century ago, Dec. 26, 1919, the Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees. The deal forever altered the shape of baseball.

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(Original Caption) Babe Ruth during the Yankees' season opener at Yankee Stadium.

The legend goes, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold Ruth to finance his play, “No, No Nanette.” Paid in installments, the sum total sale of Ruth came out to $100,000 or about $1.6 million in today’s dollars.

On this date in 1919, the @RedSox sold Babe Ruth's contract to the @Yankees. pic.twitter.com/hUbLq2S3ew

What ensued was the “Curse of the Bambino,” which lasted 86-years.

An All-Star pitcher most of his tenure in Boston, Ruth produced prestigious power with New York.