Supersition or Routine?
Posted on 04. Jul, 2009 by Corey in All, Dayton Dragons Baseball, General Baseball.
Some call them superstitions, some call them routines, and others call them “just plain stupid.” But no matter what you interrupt them to be, they exist all through the game of baseball. Baseball players are said to be “creatures of habit,” most of them having a schedule that they follow day in and day out. For the Dayton Dragons, this is no different.
I had the chance to ask around to all the team members to see what types of things they do before, during, or after each contest. Here is what they said:
Cody Puckett- “I have to fill my tummy before the game. I always try to down a protein shake of some sort and an energy drink. Then I take a pregame shower and I am ready to play.”
JC Sulbaran- “After completing my bullpen session before my start, I take of my red rubber Cincinnati Reds bracelet and place it in my back pocket for when I pitch.”
Curtis Partch- “I wear my Livestrong bracelet at all times. I also wear the same shirts, pants and shoes to the ballpark on days that I start. I like to watch professional billiards also.
Andrew Means- “I always have to have my right arm covered completely during the game. I have a one sleeved shirt that I will wear no matter what the weather is.” Former Dragon, Stephen Chapman- “I always have to have something on my wrists, usually tape. I also like to wear a necklace or chain and pound an energy drink before the game.”
Todd Benzinger- “When I played, I would ride a lot of streaks with equipment. If I got a few hits with a new bat, I would keep using it. If certain batting gloves saw an 0-for-5 day, they would be gone.
Aguido Gonzalez- “I like to put snake oil or flex-all gel on my arm before the game. Also I like an energy drink before I take the field.”
Matt Fairel- “I always want a blue Gatorade on days that I start. I will go out to lunch and always order the same thing, then take a nap, get a shower, and watch some old college game tape before heading to the field. I like to hang out in the equipment room with my clubbie before getting dressed for the game.”
Andrew Bowman- “I use to have a lot of superstitions, but realized that they never translated into consistent pitching. I started to break my habits and have been fine since then.”
Tony Fossas- “When I played, I had nothing. I just went to throw.”
Miguel Rojas- “I have to call my grandma every day. I also write her name in the dirt on the field when I take my position. I also have to have my wrists taped.”
Jordan Hotchkiss- “I need to have two pieces of gum every time I go in to pitch. I used to have many more, but realized they don’t really matter.”
Byron Wiley- “I always listen to the remix of ‘Turn My Swag On’ by Solider Boy before the game. I also text my brother and try to get time to myself and get my mind right before the game.”
Steven Otterness- “I always have to put my dress clothes on the far right of my locker when I come to the field.”
Lance Janke- “I call my mom before I pitch.”
Scott Gaffney- “I always say a prayer after the anthem before the game starts.”
Tony Jaramillo- “I always have to get a workout in at some point before the game starts. That way, I feel better regardless of the outcome of the game.
