BOSTON — What depths will Red Sox fans go to break the Curse of the Bambino?
On Saturday, a group went to the bottom of a suburban Boston pond in search of Babe Ruth's piano, which, as the story goes, was tossed into the water by the slugger in 1918.
The group hopes to refurbish the piano and play it again, just as the Babe did in 1918, the last time the Red Sox won a World Series. A season later, Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees, who have since won 26 championships.
"Once we bring this up, the Red Sox will win," historian Lee Swanson declared.
The search of Willis Pond is sponsored by the Restoration Project, a rehabilitation program for adults with mental illness and head injuries.
"We're confident we can save it and play it again," said Kevin Kennedy, who volunteers with the group. "Wouldn't that be something? The last person to play this piano was Babe Ruth. Who knows — it could end up at Fenway Park."
Five divers searched Saturday, but visibility was poor, said Chris Hugo of the state's Board of Underwater Archaeological Research. They didn't locate the piano but said they would return at a later date.
Organizers say they have proof the piano is there. On Dec. 22, Hugo used an infared camera and identified a "rectangular shape with wiry weeds" at the bottom, 15 feet below the surface and near shore.
The piano story has been local legend ever since Ruth rented a cottage near the pond in 1917 and 1918. And theories abound as to why the Sultan of Swat deposited the piano in the muck although most are related to Ruth's notorious thirst.
"It is rumored, corroborated by eyewitnesses, that Babe liked to imbibe," Swanson said.
Kennedy said one of his favorite theories is that Ruth was simply showing off his considerable strength.
"He probably had some sportswriters out there," he said.
Kennedy's interest was piqued after he moved to the area last year, and said he thought he could refurbish it with the help of the Restoration Project.
Plus, it would be a way to exorcise a baseball demon in the name of charity, Kennedy said.
But to first locate the piano, Kennedy turned to Swanson and fellow historian Curt Garfield, whose book, "The 100-year History of Sudbury," identifies Willis Pond as the resting place of Ruth's piano.
Kennedy also called the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum — a block from Camden Yards in Baltimore — and spoke to director Greg Schwalenberg, who found a photo dated "winter 1917-1918" showing Ruth posing at the cottage.
The search warmed up with the discovery of a letter in the archives of the late historian Ralph Sheridan, a friend of Ruth's, describing how he often "sang around the piano with friends," Kennedy said.
The letter also described a 15-foot incline from the lake to the cottage, offering a perfect piano launching pad.
"I certainly believe there's something going on," Kennedy said. "In 80 years, we haven't had a championship in Boston in baseball. Perhaps we can eliminate whatever this is — whether it's a curse or a psychological block."