The Red Sox had been the dregs of the American League for more than a decade following the infamous Babe Ruth sale to the New York Yankees by former owner Harry Frazee before the 1920 season, and had just finished the 1932 season with a record of —still the worst in franchise history. Yawkey directed Collins to buy up as much talent as possible to turn the team around. He also heavily renovated Fenway Park, which had fallen into disrepair over the years.