Description
Book Synopsis Superstition has been a part of baseball from the beginning. From good luck charms to human mascots to ritual statues of Babe Ruth to the curse of Colonel Sanders, there may be almost as many superstitions as players (or fans). Drawing on social science, religious studies and SABRmetrics, this book explores the rich history of supernatural belief in the game and documents a wide variety of rituals, fetishes, taboos and jinxes. Some of these have changed over time but coping with uncertainty on the field through magical thinking remains a constant.
Trade ReviewAn excellent review of the subject and related literature"—George Gmelch, professor of anthropology, University of San Francisco and Union College
Table of Contents
- Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments vii
- Preface 1
- Introduction:
- The Cerebral Nature of Baseball? 3
- One. Rituals 19
- Two. Fetishes 49
- Three. Curses 83
- Four. Taboos 119
- Five. Has Science Killed
- Superstition? 145
- Epilogue 167
- Chapter Notes 171
- Bibliography 189
- Index 193
