Bizarre Beliefs and Baseball: Wildest Superstitions

You’ve seen that, right? 

A baseball player is about to hit the ball. They do a weird string of things before they swing. The first thing is to tap their cleat with the bat. After that, they adjust their cap twice. Finally, they touch their nose before they swing.

These rituals might seem strange to you, but not for them. These superstitious routines are just as important to him as the bat in his hands or the field he plays on.

If baseball players rely so much on skill and practice, why do they act like a superstitious bunch?

Let’s see why this highly superstitious game has so many fans

Reasons why Baseball Players have Superstitions

Influence from past players

Have you heard of Babe Ruth? I’m sure you have! He was pretty big. Ruth had a habit of touching all the bases before every game.

Many others did exactly what Babe did. Just seeing the great Babe Ruth doing it made it cool enough to copy. 

But this isn’t only about being cool. It’s about connection, too.

When they follow in the footsteps of old players, they feel a part of something bigger than themselves, maybe even immortal in a sense.

And this family has its own way of doing things.

To them, it feels good to keep these traditions alive because when they play better, they feel better, and when they feel better, they perform like no other player can dream of doing.

Superstitions and Rituals for Success

You know that feeling when you have a lucky charm with you? Like you can’t be stopped. Baseball players feel the same way. 

Doing certain things or keeping up routines makes them feel like nothing can go wrong.

Some players always wear the same socks on game day. Others eat the same breakfast. 

These rituals are comforting. It feels like they found a lucky charm.

People might think that it’s all in their heads, and maybe they’re right, but if it helps them feel confident, who are we to judge?

A sense of Control and Routine

When baseball players step onto the field, they can’t control how the game will go. But they can control their routines. 

Putting on gloves and tying their shoes may seem small, but to them, it’s a way to feel in control.

It’s a way to feel ready for anything. It helps them focus, and when they’re focused, they play better.

Fear of jinxing themselves

Have you ever had a winning streak?

Feels great, right? Baseball players think so, too. They get on a roll and don’t want anything to change. 

They think, “If I do everything exactly the same, I’ll win again.” So that’s what they do. And we keep watching and cheering as they do their funny little rituals.

The power of belief

Sometimes, when you think you can do something, you actually end up doing it right.

That’s called the power of belief or manifestation or whatever new age name people made up for it this year. 

Many baseball players believe in this power and use it often.

For example, some would think, “If I tap my shoes three times before hitting, then I’ll hit a home run.” And sometimes, they pull off these amazing acts. It’s not magic, though. It’s belief.

A tool for dealing with pressure

Baseball is an intense game that holds an immense amount of pressure; fans are watching and have a score to beat. 

For one person, that’s a lot to handle. So what do players do? They use superstitions. 

It’s a way for them to keep calm and deal with the pressure they’re currently under.

And when they’re calm, they play better, so even if these superstitions seem silly to you, remember that they’re not just for kicks. 

Even though some of them look silly and beyond understanding, it’s a tool used by many athletes, including baseball players.

Surprising Tactics Adopted by Baseball Teams 

Sometimes, baseball teams do some weird things.  Let’s understand a bit about them. 

Many teams follow the first one. Many teams have a special song they sing before every game. This ritual is thought to improve team spirit and set a positive tone for the match. 

Another strange strategy involves the team uniform. Some teams insist on not washing their uniforms after a win. Don’t think MLB players wear new uniforms every game.

This practice is believed to bring good luck, even though it might make them a little stinky!

Mascots and Rally Animals

On game day, you might see a real chicken, a praying mantis, or even a squirrel on the field. 

Baseball teams have a long-standing tradition of adopting animals as their mascots or rally animals, especially when they’re on a winning streak. 

The belief is that these creatures bring good luck and can help the team continue their winning streak. 

The animals often become celebrities in their own right, attracting fan followings and even having merchandise dedicated to them!

Quirky Eating Habits

Baseball teams are known for their peculiar eating rituals.

Players often insist on eating the same pre-game meal, believing it brings good luck. 

Some teams take this a step further by incorporating specific foods into their routine, like fried chicken or doughnuts. 

The rationale lies in the superstitious belief that doing the same thing repetitively will ensure consistent performance and success in games.

The No-Shave Rule

In an attempt to maintain a winning streak, some teams adopt the “no-shave” rule. 

Players stop shaving their beards for as long as the team keeps winning. They believe that changing their appearance might jinx their good luck. 

Despite the discomfort and itchy beards, the players adhere to this rule in the spirit of keeping the game in their favor.

The Last Player to Leave the Field 

Another peculiar strategy is to always have the same player be the last one off the pitch after a victory, even if that player doesn’t participate in the next game. 

This is believed to carry forward the good luck from the previous win to the next game. 

Interesting Superstitions from Across Major League Baseball’s History.

The Los Angeles Dodgers became famous in the 1960s because of an unusual superstition: they never crossed the foul line.  

Players would avoid touching the chalky barrier while entering and leaving the field, fearing it would bring disaster.

Fast forward to the vibrant era of the 1980s, when the California Angels adopted a most eccentric ritual known as the “rally monkey.” 

The team used jumbotron footage of a jumping monkey to inspire a comeback while behind in a game. This particular superstition grew so wildly popular that it prompted the team to even adopt a live capuchin monkey as their official mascot!

Wade Boggs of the Boston Red Sox developed his pregame rituals in the 1990s.

He would eat chicken before every game and carefully carve the Hebrew word “Chai,” meaning “life,” into the soil before every at-bat.

The Tampa Bay Rays were involved in a strange superstition involving a twenty-two-pound granite gnome statue in 2008. 

There was a mysterious object brought into their dugout to bring them luck.

The “Rays’ gnome” quickly became an important part of their bench, and many people think he was a big reason why they had a great season.

Peculiar Rituals and Superstitions Followed by Many Players

• During their whole career, many players stick to the same lucky number and refuse to stray from it, fearing that doing so could bring them bad luck.

• Ever heard of the chewing gum trick? Some players steadfastly stick to the very same piece of gum throughout the duration of a game. In the event that they win, they will keep this gum for their next game as well, believing that its presence brings fortune.

• Intriguingly enough, certain players engage in conversations with their bats, firmly believing that this peculiar interaction can enhance their prowess at the plate. 

• Have you ever seen a player leap elegantly over the foul line rather than step on it? This precautionary measure is taken to deter any potential ill luck. 

• To avoid jinxing the outcome of the game, players adamantly abstain from discussing a no-hitter or perfect game while it is still in progress. 

• Food rituals also play an integral role in certain players’ pregame preparations. These players eat the same foods before every game, believing that changing their diet might affect their performance.

• On the day they start, pitchers often want to be alone and have a lot of personal space from colleagues to focus on their morning routine.

• Many players possess the habit of pointing skyward after launching a prodigious home run. This symbolic gesture often serves as a silent tribute to loved ones or a higher power.

• A peculiar yet common sight on the field is players obsessively adjusting their gloves with unwavering dedication. 

• Countless players possess cherished lucky bats or gloves that are believed to be the catalysts behind their success. 

Weird Behaviours of Some Baseball Stars on the Match Day

Babe Ruth: Known as one of the greatest baseball players, with that comes characteristics. Every time he would step on the field, he’d use his right foot. He believed this brought him luck.

Jason Giambi: To get out of a slump, he used to wear a gold thong during his games. He considered it his lucky charm.

Turk Wendell: This guy is just strange in general. Between each inning, he’d brush his teeth in the dugout and wore a necklace made of animal teeth from his hunts.

Nomar Garciaparra: The former Red Sox player had a distinctive batting ritual involving adjusting his gloves and tapping his toes before each pitch.

Craig Biggio: This Hall of Famer never washed his helmet, resulting in a dirty, pine tar-coated piece of headgear that he believed brought him good luck.

Moises Alou: Perhaps one of the strangest rituals, Alou urinated on his hands to toughen them up for batting.

Ichiro Suzuki: The Japanese baseball superstar had a unique practice of meticulously cleaning his bats in a humidor to maintain their condition.

Mike Hargrove: Nicknamed the “Human Rain Delay,” Hargrove had an elaborate pre-pitch ritual that involved adjusting his gloves, cap, and sleeves before every swing.

Mark Fidrych: Known as “The Bird,” Fidrych talked to the baseball, encouraging it to behave the way he wanted.

Joe DiMaggio: Every time Joe ran from outfield to dugout, he’d touch second base.

Baseball: Myths and Legends

It’s inaccurate to think that baseball is all about grand slams and home runs. It has a rich history filled with curses, myths, and legends.

To this day, these tales add flavor to the game. Let’s dive into each one of them.

Curse of the Bambino: One of the most famous curses in baseball is when the Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees.

This happened years ago in 1920, and as punishment for that move, the Red Sox didn’t win another World Series for 86 years.

Curse of the Black Cat: In 1969, during a Chicago Cubs game, a black cat ran across the field. The team was leading their division at that time, and shortly after, they began losing. Making it worse, they never made it back to another World Series.

Curse of Billy Goat: Now, this curse also involves the Chicago Cubs. A man named Sianis brought a goat with him to Game 4 of the World Series in ‘45.

Both were kicked out because they refused to let the animal inside Wrigley Field. As he was leaving, he said, “The Cubs ain’t gonna win no more.”

And, well, they didn’t win another World Series for 71 years.

Curse of Rocky Colavito: In 1960, The Cleveland Indians traded Rocky Colavito, who was one of their star players at the time.

After this trade, their performance fell off a cliff because they didn’t even come close to winning pennants or championships for 40 years.

The Called Shot: People are torn about whether this is true or not. In the 1932 World Series, Babe Ruth pointed his bat to the stands.

Some say he was gesturing. Others believe he called his shot. Regardless of what you believe, he managed to hit a home run straight to that exact spot.

Superstitions and Rituals in Modern Baseball

Even though time has passed, superstitions still linger in baseball. 

Juan Soto from the Washington Nationals has an interesting one – he doesn’t like to step up to a pitch without shuffling his feet and adjusting his cap. He feels this little routine helps him focus on the game.

Max Scherzer does something similar but with food. Before any game, he eats the same meal because he thinks it gives him an edge over opponents.

Mookie Betts from the Red Sox is always wearing high socks when playing games. He thinks they give him luck, and so far, they’ve been working well for him.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees started wearing gloves from his most successful games in 2022. He claims it was by accident at first, but then he noticed that whenever he wore them, his performance improved.

Ozzie Albies from the Atlanta Braves taps his bat on home plate before every swing, hoping it brings him good luck.

Superstitious behavior still continues among professional players, and their habits go unnoticed by many fans.

These habits have become a part of their game, as much as stretching and warming up before hitting balls. 

Can superstitious rituals really impact a player’s game?

So, does following these rituals and superstitions actually impact a player’s performance? 

From a scientific perspective, it’s hard to validate.

But the psychological impact is undeniable. Humans love routine and stability in their lives. We’re creatures of habit and find comfort in it. 

Disrupting an athlete’s pre-game rituals could lead to them losing focus on the field due to an emotional shift. Like all humans, baseball players want to feel like they have control over something. That’s where superstitions come in handy.

They can provide comfort for high-pressure games. 

For example, in baseball, where failure is more common than success, it’s these small edges that count the most. 

The power of perception can be strong.

How the Media Plays a Part in Superstitious Beliefs Around Baseball? 

The media plays a big role in spreading these stories because they know it grabs your interest.

For example, I bet you can think of at least one time when you read about a player who always wears the same socks or eats the same food before every game.

Also, reporters love these kinds of characteristics because they make the players more real and easy to relate to.

When you hear a story like this, you start to accept it as part of the game and will bring it up when talking about sports with your friends.

That way, even when there isn’t any news going on with sports, there’s still something interesting to talk about.

So, while players lean on superstitions for mental strength, reporters use them for audience engagement.

In a way, they also play a big role in shaping your beliefs about superstitions in sports.

Final Take 

Superstitions you see in baseball are like little cushions players use to help soften the hard blows that come with the game. 

They offer players a sense of control and regularity to something unpredictable.

It’s hard to say how much these actually affect an athlete, but it’s undeniable that they do to an extent. 

Next time you watch a game and see a player adjust their cap or tap their bat before hitting, remember that it’s not only about the physical game but also about their minds.

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