The Boston Red Sox ended their 86-year championship drought with a 3-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game Four of the World Series.

The final game was played in St. Louis, where hometown fans watched their team go scoreless throughout the evening.

Boston's Johnny Damon led off with a home run in the first inning, and Trot Nixon hit a two-run double in the third.

Although the Red Sox have come agonizingly close to winning a World Series title -- most recently in 1986 -- the team hasn't gone all the way since 1918.

After winning five of Major League Baseball's first 15 World Series, Boston fell victim to what fans know as "The Curse of the Bambino." It struck in 1920, when former Red Sox owner Harry Frazee sold legendary slugger Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $125,000 US.

It's the second time this year that Boston has made history. They were also the first team to ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit to win the American League Championship Series. And they did so against an ancient foe -- the New York Yankees.

For the fans in Boston, there was a long wait for this victory -- but it was a quick series sweep. The Red Sox won the first three games 11-9, 6-2 and 4-1 and never trailed against St. Louis.

Damon made a bit more history for Boston Wednesday night, becoming 17th player to lead off the first inning of a World Series game with a home run.

Sen. John Kerry, in a race of his own (for the White House), issued a statement after the game:

"I've been rooting for this day since I was a kid. I couldn't be more thrilled for the team and for all the fans who stuck by the Red Sox year after year after year. This Red Sox team came back against all odds and showed America what heart is. In 2004, the Red Sox are America's team."