The Difference Maker -- Superstitions

by ExNorthsider on Jul 3, 2007 12:32 PM CDT

This most likely does not require (or deserve) a diary. Still, perhaps it merits discussion with those of us who are superstitious about the Cubs.

Example of superstitious Cubs fan behavior:

You are sitting on left side of couch with beer in right hand. Cubs are winning 3-1 in the 7th. You have to pee. Badly. Instead, you stay glued to the couch until the game ends.

In my case, I was on vacation beginning Friday, June 22. As you all know, the Cubs have won 9 out of 10 games from 6/22 to 7/2. I have returned from vacation, but I encourage you all to finance my next vacation so that the Cubs may once again put together a great winning streak.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Well..

.... my Cap Standings will tell you about one of my own superstitions. In addition, when the Cubs are winning and I go to the park, I always get my Super Big Gulp out of the same spigot at the 7-11.

This is absolutely diary-worthy. Why not?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jul 3, 2007 12:35 PM CDT reply actions

As much as it hurts to say this.....

my superstition of whether to go out to the ballpark, or watch it on TV at home or in a bar kind of revolves around my "season record" in games that I have been to. Last year, as horrendous as the Cubs were, I think I only saw them lose a couple of games out of about ten or so. This year, after Saturday's drubbing, I am 1-5. As much as I love going out to the game, I'm kind of reluctant to do so now.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Jul 3, 2007 12:42 PM CDT reply actions

We'll miss you

But we still won't want you at the games with that record.

"Don't think; it can only hurt the ball club."

by Jesse Guam on Jul 3, 2007 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Feel same way

Not gonna lie...I was going to drive to DC tomorrow for the game. But Rich Hill pitched horribly last time I saw him so I decided I didn't want to go. lol, I never thought I'd turn down a Cubs game EVER.

by ak123 on Jul 3, 2007 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions

A wet blanket writes

...that the superstitions that are so common in baseball tend to annoy me more than anything else. We all know that stepping on chalk vs not stepping on chalk doesn't do anything to determine who wins a baseball game. The length of one's pants do not improve batting or defense. And whether I watch the game in person, on TV, or listen on the radio has no bearing on who wins...yet (for some reason) many people are apt to think that way.

I'm not throwing stones at anyone in this post; I suppose I just can't understand what the deal is with superstitions.

Oh, and to answer your question, I don't have any.

by Rev Gunia on Jul 3, 2007 12:50 PM CDT reply actions

Must disagree

I agre that these superstitions are self-indulgent for fans (yet I still have my own), but it's a different story for players. Psychological chaos can play hell with a pitcher trying to repeat his arm slot 100 times in a row or a hitter trying to hit an 85 mph pitch that's about to drop. If players are mentally comfortable, they're more likely to have physical success.

"If you think you're winning because you're getting laid or because your're not getting laid, then you are!"
-- Crash Davis

by Rynot @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jul 3, 2007 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

You're describing routine

Routine and superstition are two different animals. When I did my high school and college sports, I often repeated rituals because the more often I did them, the more comfortable/calm I became. Yet, whether I was successful or not, I recognized that my performance was based on me, my opponents, what I ate, and other such things. Superstitions are rituals conducted to appease vague spiritual forces so that they will act in your favor and bring you success. I have no problem with routine; I have problems with superstitions.

by Rev Gunia on Jul 3, 2007 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions

I described rituals...

Like stepping on chalk vs. not stepping on chalk?

by Rynot @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jul 3, 2007 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions

my new superstition

the last three cubs games that I have gone to that I have had a pre game drink they have won. I don't have to drink a lot, but I've realized that I need at least one drink prior to the game.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jul 3, 2007 1:03 PM CDT reply actions

I like this one...

"The game is always healthier when the Cubs are good, and in a week they have made themselves a whole lot better."

by BillHoldenFan on Jul 3, 2007 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Unfortunately

Someone bought a Sandberg jersey for me, and while I was traveling through IL and I wore it, Cubs didn't lose. Then I finished my trip to MN and since I've been here Cubs always do bad when I wear it. I tried debunking it by wearing it vs the Rangers (who I thought would be easy) well... you know the results. So now I have a 180$ dollar jersey hanging in the closet I can't wear :(

by GoCubbies34 on Jul 3, 2007 1:18 PM CDT reply actions

T-shirts

Recently, I've noticed certain t-shirts are helping. The Penn State baseball shirt is 3-0 at games, while the State College Spikes shirt is 0-1. So guess what I'm wearing to the next game?

"Don't think; it can only hurt the ball club."

by Jesse Guam on Jul 3, 2007 1:36 PM CDT reply actions

Superstitions

George Stallings, manager of the World Champion 1914 Boston Braves, was extremely superstitious. If his team got a hit, he'd stay in whatever position he happened to be in, not moving a muscle, until the rally ended.

One time, he was starting to bend over to tie his shoe when a Brave got a hit. He stayed in that exact position, frozen, as the Braves went on to score eight runs in the inning. He had to be helped up from the bench when the inning finally ended.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Jul 3, 2007 1:57 PM CDT reply actions

I have too many to mention

but they mostly change by how the Cubs are doing. However there is very funny riff by Maddux on superstitions I wish I had saved it but it basically mocked everything from black cats to dirty socks and pretty much said players use it as a crutch when they don't play well and want to pass the blame More recently I read a bit from Brian Giles that cracked me up.It went something like " If you think the kind of underwear you have on effects your game than you have some serious problems". In fairness many players do have superstitions and some of them are pretty weird but harmless. I assume now that he is retired Wade Boggs eats lots of red meat.

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Jul 3, 2007 2:26 PM CDT reply actions

it's all in the hats

I wear my home hat when I visit Wrigley (hadn't been there in years until last Friday, and they won) Wear my away hat when I visit other ballparks (win percentage about 80%). When I watch at home, I have a Titleist hat with a Cubs logo I wear, unless I'm also listening to the game on the radio. Then I have to wear my retro hat with the bear. About 50% with those. Need to find the right combo I guess. :)

"The trouble with baseball is that it is not played the year round." ~Gaylord Perry

by Jettero2112 on Jul 3, 2007 3:46 PM CDT reply actions

My main superstition...

...is that, while watching Cubs games on TV, I NEVER change the channel. I force myself to suffer through the commercials. (And, generally speaking, I hate commercials.) I have been known to flout this rule when the Cubs are, say, more than five runs down, though.

Otherwise, I don't have too many. Unfortunately, I don't attend games often enough to have built up any at-the-park superstitions.

Brew Crew: We are coming for you. (And we mean it this time.)

by daver on Jul 3, 2007 4:19 PM CDT reply actions

Cubs superstition...

I have a pair of Cubbies boxers that I always wear when I think the Cubs need a win(without wearing them every game). I usually wear them about once a week. My rough estimate is that they're about 10-5 when I'm wearing them so far this year. I think I need to get more than one pair...

"Not true at all. Vaseline is manufactured right here in the United States." - Don Sutton, about the rumors that he uses a foreign substance on the ball

by Orangeman94 on Jul 4, 2007 11:29 AM CDT reply actions

My superstition

I have two Cubbie T-Shirts and a road cap. Almost every time I wear them (except for the gray T-shirt once) they have lost. So now I just wear them on days the team doesn't play. Hope to get a new cap at the game on the 22nd to break the jinx.

I want my Macias!

by wombat on Jul 5, 2007 8:03 AM CDT reply actions