Dan Shaughnessy

Dan Shaughnessy is a renowned American sports journalist and author, best known for his work with The Boston Globe. Born on July 20, 1953, in Groton, Massachusetts, Shaughnessy grew up a passionate fan of Boston sports and attended the College of the Holy Cross, graduating in 1975 with a degree in English.

He began his journalism career covering the Baltimore Orioles for the Baltimore Evening Sun in 1977 and later worked as the national baseball writer for The Washington Star. In 1981, he joined The Boston Globe, where he became a key voice in New England sports journalism. As a columnist since 1989, he has covered major Boston teams, including the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, and Bruins, earning a reputation for his sharp analysis and willingness to challenge teams and players alike.

Shaughnessy is perhaps most famous for his 1990 book The Curse of the Bambino, which explored the Red Sox’s decades-long championship drought. He later authored Reversing the Curse, chronicling their historic 2004 World Series win. His bibliography includes over a dozen books, among them Francona: The Red Sox Years, co-written with manager Terry Francona, and Wish It Lasted Forever: Life with the Larry Bird Celtics, a nostalgic look at the 1980s Celtics.

Over his career, Shaughnessy has received numerous accolades, including multiple Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year awards and recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors as one of the country’s top columnists. In 2016, he was honored with the prestigious BBWAA Career Excellence Award for his contributions to baseball writing.

Dan Shaughnessy lives in Newton, Massachusetts, with his wife, Marilou, and their three children. He remains a respected and influential voice in sports journalism.