You don’t get a curse without a little heartbreak first. The Boston Red Sox-World Series-winning drought lasted from 1918 to 2004, and the team ended four postseasons one win away during that 86-year stretch. The 1975 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds was the third heart-render for the team, and one of the most brutal.

Fans lined up along Lansdowne Street, waiting to purchase tickets for the 1975 World Series.Bill Brett/Globe StaffRed Sox third baseman Rico Petrocelli hit a two-run single in the seventh inning of Game 1 of the 1975 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds at Fenway Park.George Rizer/Globe StaffFans without tickets to Game 1 of the World Series watched from a billboard on Lansdowne Street outside of Fenway Park.David L. Ryan/Globe StaffA resourceful Red Sox fan used her program to shield herself from the rain during Game 1.Ted Dully/Globe StaffJoe Morgan of the Reds got caught stealing by Red Sox second baseman Denny Doyle in Game 2.Frank O’Brien/Globe StaffA Red Sox fan listened to Game 2 on his headset radio.David L. Ryan/Globe StaffTed (center) and Joe Kennedy III attended Game 2 at Fenway Park.David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Yeoman-like work by starting pitcher Luis Tiant led the Red Sox to wins in Games 1 and 4. Tiant shut out the Big Red Machine, the league’s best offense, in Game 1 on five hits. In Game 4, he allowed four runs but pitched a 163-pitch complete game and scored the winning run himself.

Red Sox righthander Luis Tiant threw a pitch during Game 4. His 163-pitch complete game led the Sox over the Reds, 5-4.Tom Landers/Globe StaffReds third baseman Pete Rose chewed bubble gum in the dugout during Game 4.Tom Landers/Globe StaffReds second baseman Joe Morgan slid into third as Red Sox third baseman Rico Petrocelli jumped for a ball thrown over his head during Game 5.Tom Landers/Globe StaffRed Sox center fielder Fred Lynn took batting practice beneath the bleachers at Fenway Park, as Game 6 was postponed a day because of rain.George Rizer/Globe Staff

The lasting legacy of the ‘75 Series remains Carlton Fisk’s walk-off home run in Game 6. Even before Fisk waved his fly ball fair, the game cemented itself as one of the greatest in World Series history. Bernie Carbo stroked a pinch-hit home run to tie the game, and he taunted Pete Rose as he rounded the bases. The Sox nearly walked it off in the ninth inning, but Denny Doyle was cut down at home plate. Fisk ended the madness in the 12th inning, with one of the most iconic postseason hits in history.

Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk willed the ball fair for a walk-off home run in the 12th inning of Game 6.Harry Cabluck/Associated PressRed Sox catcher Carlton Fisk smiled after he willed his home run fair for a walk-off win in the 12th inning of Game 6.George Rizer/Globe StaffRed Sox catcher Carlton Fisk (center) received a hero’s welcome at home plate after his walkoff home run in Game 6.Tom Landers/Globe StaffFans celebrated in Kenmore Square following the dramatic victory in Game 6.Dan Sheehan/Globe Staff

After heartbreaking Game 7 losses in 1946 and 1967, the Sox again found themselves on the precipice of wiping away the Curse of the Bambino when they were up, 3-0, midway through Game 7 against the Reds. The Sox failed to score in the final six innings, and National League MVP Joe Morgan drove in the winning run with a bloop single.

Red Sox fans put up signs along the center-field wall at Fenway Park during Game 7.David L. Ryan/Globe StaffPete Rose ran across the field of Fenway Park after the Reds won Game 7.David L. Ryan/Globe StaffSpectators streamed onto the field at Fenway Park and began to climb the Green Monster after the Reds won Game 7.David L. Ryan/Globe StaffScores of Red Sox fans crowded into City Hall Plaza for a team rally the day after Game 7, even after their team failed to win the World Series.Paul Connell/Globe Staff

Colby Cotter can be reached at colby.cotter@globe.com. Follow him @ColbyCotter.