I’ve always loved baseball, but nothing compares to my recent obsession with the postseason KC Royals.
It's an obsession many of us understand. It's an obsession that doesn’t stop at the city limits — it spreads nationwide.
I have baseball fever, as I’m sure many of you do too. The rainout two nights ago was agony. The travel days are torture.
As is true with anything, with every great love comes great pain. Mine's a pain not everyone experiences.
I carry a huge burden when it comes to watching sports. It has been acquired and finessed over many years. It regularly interrupts my daily life.
I’m incredibly superstitious.
It was passed down from my loving father. Let’s just say this gene wasn’t recessive and he gets full blame.
I don’t go 20 minutes without knocking on wood during a sporting event. I don’t go 5 minutes without knocking on wood during Royals postseason.
You might be thinking to yourself, just stop saying jinxing things and solve your own problem. You see, I’m not the issue.
I have this superstitious gene ingrained so deeply that I actually knock on wood for the things I accidently think in my own head and for the jinxing things other people say.
It’s gotten so bad during this playoffs run that my dad, sisters and I are sending my mom upstairs during the ninth inning.
Hear me out. During the wildcard game, which went extra innings, my mom left the basement before the game was over. As we all know, the Royals won.
From that game on, we ask my mom to go upstairs. I really wish I was joking.
As you can see, this has taken over my life and the lives of innocent bystanders around me.
If anyone knows of a support group, I'll willingly go.
Other everyday concerns of a superstitious 23-year-old:
1. Getting a new car that has no wood anywhere in it. Thank goodness for dads who cut pieces of 2x4 to place in my car to keep me safe.
2. Having a boyfriend who is a sports fanatic and super confident in all his teams that he doesn’t believe in jinxing. Seriously, Gregory, you can’t say things like, “An I-70 series is going to be awesome.” YOU CANNOT!
3. Having to wear the same shirt for every single game.
4. Leaving work 2 hours early to watch the first pitch of an afternoon game only to have to make up those 2 hours later in the week.
5. Embarrassingly knocking on wood in public places due to others acting irresponsibly.