Help the Twins! Superstitious Aid Forum

[Teflon]

The math needed to unravel the behavior of the smallest objects in our universe requires additional dimensions to explain the physics. If these dimensions do indeed exist, then it's possible that some superstitions such as lucky socks, rally caps, etc - may indeed exercise an undetectable influence in one of these theoretical dimensions.

 

With that as our premise and with the Twins definitely in need of some extra-dimensional mojo, you're invited to experiment with your superstitious behaviors and document them in this thread - tracking them game-by-game and posting which appear to be most coincidental with Twins' wins.

 

As an example - when the Twins won the World Series in 1991, the team had a much better win rate when I had a microwaved pepperoni Hot Pockets for supper. (Unfortunately, I didn't document this phenomena statistically) While the pitching of Jack Morris, Scott Erickson and Kevin Tapani was undoubtedly a major factor that season as was the addition of Chii Davis at DH, I do take some small amount of credit for my contributions, as well.

 

 

You're invited to use this thread to post your observances regarding any rituals or superstitions you practice and to track the rate at which they coincide with wins. You're encouraged to modify your practices as needed to abandon those with lower success rates in favor of those that prove most fruitful. At some point, perhaps we can also experiment with a collective superstition to see if there is any strength in numbers. You're also welcomed to post any details about past rituals you may have observed.

 

 

As of this first post, the last Twins win was on Wednesday, May 2nd. I did two things out of the ordinary on that day. I ate lunch at a food truck and I rode in a friend's Corvette. While these may not be as sustainable a habit as my '91 Hot Pockets ritual, I will try to replicate each individually to see if they continue to be effective. I will also do some research to see what superstitions fans of other teams have had luck with. My guess is Red Sox nation is teeming with examples.

[Teflon]

PS - This is not a paid promotion for Hot Pockets. 

[wsnydes]

I love the idea of this thread!  I'm not a superstitious person generally speaking, but I can be really bad when it comes to sports.

 

Unfortunately, my typical routines seem to have run out of luck.  None of them seem to be working.  Perhaps my posture is off just a bit or my hands aren't quite where they should be when I lift my glass of scotch to my mouth.  Unfortunately, film of my previous successful years are on VHS and I no longer have a working VCR.

 

 

[ashbury]

Teflon, are you signed up to do a Game Thread Intro? That's what I thought I was reading, at first. We've got openings for the Angels games next week, I believe. Maybe it would be a good luck charm if you signed up to do one.

[ashbury]

As for the thread topic, I tend toward the same split between regular life and sports when it comes to superstitions, but I can't think of any charms that really help the Twins. I try to avoid jinxing any of the players, but that's more of a double negative. I'll do rally caps in late innings at the ballpark, but at home I have to concern myself with what Mrs Ash thinks.

 

Once in a while I've had good luck with crossing my arms right-over-left instead of left-over-right - others might have the reverse tendency - maybe if we all vow to cross our arms in the "opposite" direction during rallies, we can get some RISP success. Or maybe the key is for us all to align one way or the other - thoughts?

[GCTF]

Insert Michael Scott meme here

[ashbury]

Insert Michael Scott meme here

Right away, sir.

 

[ashbury]

No intention to threadjack, but looking up that other one brought me to this (tangentially baseball oriented) one:

 

[Teflon]

 

Teflon, are you signed up to do a Game Thread Intro? That's what I thought I was reading, at first. We've got openings for the Angels games next week, I believe. Maybe it would be a good luck charm if you signed up to do one.

 

I volunteered to do the 5/12 thread to assess how the Twins respond. Please suspend all other superstitious practices on this day so we can isolate the true effects. 

[nicksaviking]

I've noticed a negative correlation between the number of curses I utter at the Twins watching them on TV and actual Twins wins. 

 

I will attempt to curse at my TV less in an attempt to influence more wins. I apologize for doing it so regularly as of late.

[Teflon]

Never doubt Red Sox Nation!

 

Katherine Clarke, 18, Mission Hill

 

She says her first game ever at Fenway was in 2007.“My mom went to the bathroom and to make sure that she had enough toilet paper the next time she went, she took a roll from the stall,’’ Clarke said. “That game, Clay Buchholz had a no hitter, so we kept the roll of toilet paper. We keep it in a plastic bag hanging in our poolroom and no one is allowed to touch it. Now, during a game, we take it out if they are doing poorly and start chanting and dancing around until they start doing better.’

 

[SheboyganBrats]

It seems like every time I turn on the game and the Twins have men in scoring position with less than two outs, they fail to score.

 

I don't know if I can do anything positive to help, but if I don't tune into the games, maybe I'll quit screwing up their chances.

 

 

[jkcarew]

 

I will also do some research to see what superstitions fans of other teams have had luck with. My guess is Red Sox nation is teeming with examples.

For the Red Sox, my guess is there's a high correlation between victories and demonstration of any type of obnoxious behavior.

 

But, here is where advanced math can be tricky.  For, if you were to observe some control experiments, you'll find other positive correlations with demonstrations of obnoxious behavior by Red Sox fans...like losses.  The sun rising. Etc.

 

I read once that the factors that can be isolated as having the most impact are all related to the behavior of observing good players playing well.  Let's all try that!

 

But, I'm willing to eat Hot Pockets if that doesn't work.

[nicksaviking]

 

 

But, I'm willing to eat Hot Pockets if that doesn't work.

 

Oof, thanks for taking one for the team. 

[ashbury]

It seems like every time I turn on the game and the Twins have men in scoring position with less than two outs, they fail to score.

 

I don't know if I can do anything positive to help, but if I don't tune into the games, maybe I'll quit screwing up their chances.

Here are the recommended tried-and-true Best Practices for your situation going forward:

 

[Puckett34]

Prior to the final Toronto game on 5/2 I took my Minnesota Twins Phiten rubber wristband off for the first time this season.   They won.    So I left it off yesterday.    Obviously, yesterday happened.    Unsure of what to do tonight.    Think I'll leave it off and see what happens.    But I'm open to suggestions.    I'm not superstitious, but I am a little stitious. 

 

 

Here's the wristband in question:

 

[Teflon]

 

Prior to the final Toronto game on 5/2 I took my Minnesota Twins Phiten rubber wristband off for the first time this season.   They won.    So I left it off yesterday.    Obviously, yesterday happened.    Unsure of what to do tonight.    Think I'll leave it off and see what happens.    But I'm open to suggestions.    I'm not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.

 

Perhaps it wasn't the fact that it was on or off on 5/2, but, instead, the actual procedure of it being removed. I suggest wearing it as you were, but removing it prior to the next game - as closely matching the removal protocol from 5/2.

[Teflon]

Note: I just read on City Pages that there is a Food Truck Fest opening tomorrow at the Midtown Farmer's Market on Lake Street in Mpls. As I ate lunch at a food truck on 5/2, prior to the last Twins win, I'll be able to test this a second time. Again, not sure this is a sustainable superstition - but worth a shot.

 

I encourage any other readers to locate a food truck on Saturday, as well. The Maplewood Mall will be having food trucks on site this weekend. Also many other kinds of trucks in the parking lot for kiddies to crawl on and touch - capturing some of the old Machinery Hill vibe from the State Fair.

 

Schedule - Noon: Lunch at a Food Truck. 6 pm: Twins win.

[Vanimal46]

Note: I just read on City Pages that there is a [url=http://www.citypages.com/calendar/opening-day-food-truck-fest/480707301]Schedule - Noon: Lunch at a Food Truck. 6 pm: Twins win.

At what time do we profit?

[DocBauer]

For a while, it seemed the Twins would win if I didn't watch, lose if I did. What a conundrum as a fan!

 

Now, however, it seems they are losing even I don't watch. Bad for the Twins, but at least I can watch them lose now knowing I haven't affected the outcome.

[ashbury]

I wasn't able to watch the game tonight until the bases were loaded with two out in the bottom of the fifth.

 

Y'all might want to wander over to the game thread to see how superstition is done.

[SheboyganBrats]

I raked my lawn yesterday, and we all know the result.

 

My lawn is going to look pretty sad, if I have to rake it every day until the season ends.

 

Imagine the year Rosario will have had, though.

[snepp]

I intentionally stepped on a chalk line a few days ago.

 

Does that count?

[Teflon]

Official Tally: After Saturday, the Twins are 2-0 this year when I lunch at food trucks. Does anyone know how much food trucks cost? Wondering if the Twins might want to set me up in one.