Did you ever see that "Curse of the Bambino" special (on HBO, I think)? It suggested that many Sox fans wouldn't know how to psychologically
handle a World Series victory (especially if it came after beating the Yanks for the pennant) and would likely fall into a deep depression after a (very) brief period of indescribable elation. This would be the result of the 85 year losing streak (and the
way the team loses) having become such an intregal part of Sox fans' consciousness that losing it would be like losing a part of themselves. The identification is that strong.
Fortunately we're never going to find out ;)