Affleck both directed and penned the script for 2007's Gone Baby Gone, which stars his brother Casey Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Michelle Monaghan and Amy Ryan (who garnered an Oscar nomination for her supporting role in the film). The crime drama was relative critical and commercial success, having amassed a worldwide gross of $34.6 million. Since his directorial debut, the Gone Girl actor has also helmed 2010's The Town and 2012's Argo (which won three Oscars, including best picture) and will direct 2016's Live by Night next.
The Boston Red Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 5-4 on Aug. 15, 1997. It was an unremarkable game in an unremarkable season. They haven’t won on that date, which also happens to be Ben Affleck’s birthday, since — that’s an 0-15 record.
How long ago was 1997? Bill Clinton was still president. Good Will Hunting — Affleck and Matt Damon‘s breakout hit that earned them a screenwriting Oscar — was still four months away from release. Red Sox Hall-of-Famer-to-be David Ortiz wouldn’t make his Major League debut for another 18 days (and for Minnesota).
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People have noticed the streak. Affleck noticed. Last year on his birthday, he tweeted:
If the @RedSox lose today, I’m going to have to start cheering for the @Yankees on Aug 15th. #BirthdayJinx
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) August 15, 2014
But now the streak is over. There will be no Curse of the Ben to go along with the Curse of the Bambino (aka Babe Ruth, whose December 1919 sale to the Yankees was said to be the reason the Red Sox didn’t win a World Series from 1918 to 2004, an 86-year streak). The Red Sox walloped the Seattle Mariners 22-10 at home (one day after beating them 15-1) on this Aug. 15 to break their winless run on Affleck’s 43rd birthday.
An appreciative Affleck took notice.
22-10 and a 15 game losing streak ended? I’ll take it. Thanks guys. https://t.co/ZuD7DQ2NRJ
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) August 15, 2015
Both Affleck and the Red Sox could use a little fun news. Affleck, of course, has made headlines of late because of the breakup of his marriage to Jennifer Garner. Red Sox manager John Farrell announced on Friday that he has stage 1 lymphoma and is stepping away from the team for the rest of the season for treatment. It hasn’t been a great year for the team regardless. The Sox are 52-64 and in last place in the American League East.
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