Laura Trahan

Baseball Superstitions: Are Players The Only Ones Who Have Their Quirks



Posted: Monday, April 14, 2008

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By now you have heard the news or watched the video of the construction workers madly tearing up a portion of the new Yankee stadium that is scheduled to open next year in order to unearth a Boston Red Sox Jersey. Apparently, a construction worker buried the jersey during construction to jinx or curse the Yankees and their future in their new stadium.

This does seem crazy to those who are not baseball fans, but I propose it isn't as crazy as one might have originally thought. Baseball players have been known for their superstitions for years. Astro player Craig Biggio never washed his helmet because he felt it was bad luck. Some players can't shave until they have a loss. Some have to wear certain pairs of underwear.

I am not even sure what age these superstitions start. My seven year old believes he has to use a certain red bat to get a hit, despite the over $100 bat that was bought for him for Christmas. How I cringe seeing it just sit in the dugout!

I remember having to chew Double Bubble-a new piece-every time I went to bat because I thought it was what made me hit the ball. I have seen players only be able to come to the plate to certain songs playing in the background-the superstitions of baseball players are endless.

But it isn't just baseball players that have superstitions, is it? We all have little quirks or OCD traits that we all have to do every day. My dad can't drive down a road that a black cat just crossed. I can't tell you how many times as a child that he turned the car around and went back a different direction.

I have a friend who counts driveways. She has to be on an even number to turn in or she drives around the block until she is. Strange, I know.

I have this thing, personally, where I believe the toilet seat can not be left up. I believe it is a sign that all our money will go down the drain so to speak.

I also teach with a woman who believes if she sprays herself with Lysol everyday she will not get sick. One time she tried going without and sure enough she was sick the next day and ended up missing work.

My husband is a counter and always has to end in a multiple of 20. For instance, he takes the same amount of steps on the landing between the stairs-always four steps. If he is taking bites of something, it is the same. He sits in bed and counts the blinds and will drive himself insane if he can't land on a certain multiple.

My son can't use the same utensil for different foods. He has to get a new spoon for each side. He has literally convinced himself that using the same utensil will make the food bad.

These are bizarre, I know. Mainly because they come from those I am related to as well. But it does shed some light on how the Yankees organization felt in tremendously necessary to destroy work already completed to get what could be a cursed jersey out of their new stadium.

But it isn't far-fetched to believe that we all do quirky things just to make it through the day. So my question is: what are your superstitions? Feel free to share them in the comments-we won't judge. I promise!

Laura Trahan is married to an awesome, amazing, wonderful, etc. etc. man and has two beautiful kids. She has just recently woke up and started two new blogs http://lauratrahan.wordpress.com and http://tomballgtmom.wordpress.com. Feel free to visit anytime.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by sue thom
from nj 3 years 268 days ago.
hi laura, i loved this article, it was fun and happy and cute, and of course, well written. i don't know of any superstions i have, but it's still difficult for me to step on a crack! best regards, sue
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