THE CURSE OF BEING A FAN

by The Original JD, Six Pack Sports Report

This week on the World Wide Leader's website there was a headline that says "Poll: 1 in 5 fans do things to avoid jinxing favorites." Now other then the obvious ridiculousness of that headline it did cause me to stop and think because if there is one thing you should all know about me it's that I am highly superstitious. I have started to get better lately as I had the guts to not wear my Jonathan Papelbon jersey during Game 5 of the ALCS (I figured it hadn't worked since Game 1 time to switch things up a bit), and Game 6 was seen from the couch of the SPSR Cape House and not on the couch at my fathers house with him. At no time was I comfortable with my decision however in both instances things worked out and my playing against the jinx had no effect on the outcome of either game. However, the point that this has led me to is "what types of superstitions do you have about your favorite teams?"

It's strange that ESPN ran that headline on their website this morning because it's something that I have been thinking about for a couple of days. You see about two months ago the First Lady of SPSR Nation brought up the idea that she wanted to see "Wicked" which is playing in Boston right now. I of course being the cultured individual that I am immediately knew that meant she wanted to see a musical and I of course - did not. However, I also know that it takes a lot for a woman to put up with someone who spends the majority of his free time playing video games, watching professional wrestling, and writing an Internet sports blog. So I sucked it up and bought the tickets - the only ones available, October 26, 2007.

At the time I thought nothing of it - until my mother mentioned to me that this date might coincide with a World Series game. Of course two months ago it didn't look like this crop of Red Sox players had much of a chance to make the World Series so I tried not to think about it. Until Dustin Pedroia hit a home run over the Green Monster on Sunday night and suddenly the thought came shooting back into my brain - oh shit I'm going to see that musical on Friday night, please don't let there be a game. Luckily for me and my mental stability there is not a game on Friday night so the situation will not have to be addressed.

So while I have been known to wear the same jersey/shirt/hat for an extended period of time while waiting for something potentially bad to happen I at least dodged one bullet. To put into perspective the type of person that I am - during the 2004 World Series run I did not shave until Game 4 of the ALCS because I thought the beard was having an negative impact on the team. During finals when I was a first year law student I didn't shave for the entire month of exams because I didn't want to jinx myself. So you can see what type of problem we'd be running into if I had to miss a game due to being at a musical. I think it's safe to say that I'd be single handedly responsible for the Red Sox losing Game 3.

But I'm interested to know whether or not the members of the Nation have similar issues when it comes to addressing your own fandom. It doesn't have to be anything as crazy as what I've put myself through but then again I'm a little nuts anyways so it's just something that I've come to live with. I'm throwing it out there though Nation do any of you have rituals that you go through because you think it helps the team?

(Originally published 10/23)