Baseball is a game of superstitions.
It is the only game where teams are damned with century-long curses—curse of the Bambino, Billy Goat Curse, etc.—and failures can be blamed on something that happened two generations ago.
Batters are some of the primary examples of superstitious acts.
We all know about Nomar Garciaparra's rituals when he comes to the plate, and I think it's safe to assume that Wade Boggs was the most habitual man on the planet.
Boggs would eat chicken before every game, take exactly 150 ground balls, take BP at 5:17, run sprints at 7:17, and would then write a word in Hebrew (Chai) in the dirt before every at bat.
Fortunately, as a Braves fan for my entire existence, 16 years, I have not been forced to sit through years upon years of futility that could be blamed on a curse, although the past three years have been hard to bear, hmm...curse of the Mazzone perhaps?
But, like many fans, I have that one set of beliefs that I have convinced myself can, no matter what the circumstances may be, fix any problems affecting my beloved Bravos.
There are two rituals I follow, and some of you may share them, that I follow to a "T":
The Day After
This is probably the oddest, and it's not really all that bad.
After a Braves' loss, I will refrain from my daily dose of SportsCenter.
I just can't bear the sight of losing highlights, they just make me sick.
I started this last season and, thankfully, I have not seen anything like the 11-game losing streak the Bravos endured back in 2006.
However, the effectiveness of this habit has yet to be seen, as last season was a 90-loss season so...
No Move
Another habit of mine is that when a big rally starts up, I don't move.
Regardless of any calls, whether from family or nature, I may receive, I stay put in whatever position I may be.
This one has garnered more faith from me, as I have seen it pay off, sort of...
Take for example last night (April 21) when the Braves had two on and none out in the top of the ninth against the Nats.
I, unfortunately, stood up from my sitting position and watched in horror as Greg Norton, Kelly Johnson, and Yunel Escobar failed to drive in either runner in a one-run loss.
I guarantee you that, starting tonight, this posterior will not relieve the seat in which it is seated, if the Braves manage to start a rally.
These are two of a few things that I do, but, and it's probably more of perception, they do seem to be useful "tools" while I'm following the team I love.
So, what do you do that has lead your team to success?
(This is something I am going to start doing to pay homage to my favorite Braves beat writer, David O'Brien)
"Superstitious"
Stevie Wonder
Very superstitious, writing's on the wall
Very superstitious, ladders bout' to fall
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way
Very superstitious, wash your face and hands
Rid me of the problem, do all that you can
Keep me in a daydream, keep me goin' strong
You don't wanna save me, sad is my song
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, yeah, yeah
Very superstitious, nothin' more to say
Very superstitious, the devil's on his way
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, good things in your past
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, no, no, no
Lyrics from Lyrics007.com
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