Roses are red, violets are blue
Don’t forget Valentine’s Day, or shame on you!
As February’s mid-point approaches, Valentine’s Day falls on the heels of President’s Day and Ground Hog Day, marking the third ‘celebration’ of the year’s shortest month.
At a recent family event on a sunny Sunday afternoon, conversation shifted to Punxsutawney Phil’s latest forecast calling for an early spring. Two days following his proclamation, he appeared to be somewhat truthful, but skepticism is certainly warranted based upon the critter’s all-time success rate of 39%. He’s been slightly better during the past decade, correctly making the call 40% of the time.
A college-age granddaughter laughed at the silliness coming from Punxsutawney every year but then made her own proclamation; “Who cares what the groundhog does? That seems like a heck of a good party. I should go there next year.”
Oh yes, traditions and superstitions — for whatever they may be worth, they are meant to have a good time and ward off bad omens. Sports are full of superstitions. Just for the fun of it, let’s delve into some of the silliness associated with how we watch and play the games.
Clothing superstitions – revealed by 17% of fans surveyed in a recent poll.
– Wearing the team gear of the team you’re rooting for.
– Wearing ‘lucky underwear.’
– Changing t-shirts mid-game if team is losing.
– Wearing rally caps.
– Turning various articles of clothing inside out during a game.
– Refusing to wash their team’s jersey if they are on a winning streak.
– Wearing the same clothes for every game and not washing them in between.
Taboos – revealed by 10% of fans.
– Saying a team is about to win will jinx the game.
– Don’t say that a particular player hasn’t had an injury.
– If you say it, it will happen.
– In close games, I have to be pessimistic about them winning. If I think they have a chance, the chance of winning goes down.
Food Traditions – 8% hold to these.
– Eating a particular meal before each game.
– Taking a gulp of water but not swallowing before a field goal or extra point.
– Not eating or drinking while the team is doing something good.
– Not eating at all before or during a game.
– Drinking beer at kickoff.
– Drinking a beer with your left hand will help the kicker make field goals.
Everything in its place – 4% convinced it works.
– People have to all sit in their lucky chairs or spots at home.
– Can’t move when the team’s doing well.
– If you climb over someone or step over them, you have to go back the same way, or the team will have bad luck.
– All the empty beer cans must be in the same spot when they are empty.
– One fan places three pennies on the floor in the same spot.
– One fan leaves their team’s Christmas decorations up all year long.
Don’t Watch – 2% avoid the temptation.
– Not watching the game because it’s bad luck.
– Walking away from the TV and listening during a critical play.
– When a fan’s team is not playing well, they walk outside for ten minutes.
– No reason is particular. My team just plays better if I don’t watch.
Many players themselves have their own superstitions and rituals – some a bit bizarre.
Former Atlanta Hawks player Jason Terry decided to start wearing the shorts of the next day’s opponent. The ritual required Terry to procure a pair of uniform shorts from each opposing NBA team. Although his network with equipment managers helped him out, it wasn’t foolproof. While playing for Dallas in the 2006 NBA Finals, he had to wear Mavericks shorts before each game because he was unable to get trunks from the opposing Miami Heat.
Obviously, that was the reason Miami won the NBA title 4 games to 2.
Most baseball players wear batting gloves to absorb some of the shock of making contact with the ball and improve their grip on the bat. A few forego batting gloves for the barehanded approach.
Former MLB outfielder Moises Alou had his own ritual for avoiding calluses and hardening the skin on his hands. Don’t try this at home, but he urinated on his hands throughout the season. Longtime New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada also employed this superstition.
Such practice may have been mind-over-matter as a 2004 study questioned the effectiveness of such a practice, explaining that urea, contained in urine, is a key ingredient is moisturizers that actually soften the skin.
To each their own regarding sports rituals and superstitions, but it might be best to avoid Alou and Posada’s routine.
