Bad Luck or a Jinx? The Story of One Baseball Fan

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

My family got a package of Astros tickets this year: 10 games (plus we got one extra set). However, the primary problem with this is I do not particularly care for the Astros. So, most of the games we attend to see the other team.

I am a huge Cardinals fan, and three games against the Cardinals are included in our custom set. We went to games Monday and Tuesday night, and the Cardinals got crushed both nights. This leads me to one theory that has come to my family’s mind frequently: I’m jinxed.

Now I am not generally a person who believes in jinxes, but this may be a special case.  As far back as I can remember, the team I rooted for has lost when I see them in person.

I didn’t always keep a score book, but I have memories: When we lived in Pittsburgh, I saw Jeff Suppan lose a no-hitter in the seventh on a misplayed double that resulted in the Pirates scoring the only run of the game.

Or there was time I saw Randy Johnson mow through the Pirates in two hours...losing 2-0. However, I finally decided to test my theory. I went back through five years worth of score book pages from games I’ve attended.

Now, when you wonder about what “team I root for” means specifically, it is not one specific team. For some reason or another, I have developed a complex hierarchy of teams to root for. I doubt it’s OCD, but more of a “I have this random urge to make lists.”

In any case, there are basically five teams I will go out of my way to see. In the order I’d root for them, they are: Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, and Arizona Diamondbacks (although, I must admit, the last three fluctuate; however, I almost never see those three play each other, so it’s good).

Now, you may be tempted to say, “Well, there’s your problem, Theo. You put the Orioles at No. 1, and you have the Nationals on your list.” Yes, even though I’m more of a pitying Nationals-sympathizer, I suppose that could be a problem.

But, in any case, I’m now determined to follow up on my research. And, by the way, these are only the games I’ve seen in the last five years. I do not have any readily available record as to the games from before five years ago, but rest assured, my teams lost quite a bit.

Game One: Orioles at Braves, Final Score: 1-8

My team: Orioles. Venue: Turner Field

In this one, the O’s were no-hit for four innings, and went 5-for-32 with no walks. The Braves, meanwhile, recorded 13 hits and 1 walk. The pitching matchup was Rodrigo Lopez versus John Smoltz.

That pair is so mismatched it’s not funny. This was during the height of the Orioles’ “Crappy” Phase. I also have as a note that Smoltz moved into 27th on the all-time strikeout list.

Game Two: Orioles at Braves, Final Score: 3-10

My team: Orioles. Venue: Turner Field

The O’s started strong, with a single, a home run, and another single. However, they would only manage five more hits the rest of the game. The pitching matchup was more evenly matched, with the Orioles going to Kris Benson, and the Braves sending Horacio Ramirez to the mound (“evenly matched” does not necessarily mean “good”).

For another stark contrast between the two teams, both used one pinch hitter. The Braves went with Chipper Jones, who you may have heard of (it was his night off, I guess). The Orioles used Ed Rogers.

I can’t honestly say I know who Ed Rogers is. On a different note, this 2006 game marked the first time I saw Nick Markakis, who is now one of my favorite players. He went 1-for-4.

Game Three: Cardinals at Braves, Final Score 3-5

My team: Cardinals. Venue: Turner Field

There was a long rain delay in this one. This was the day after the Orioles game, meaning this is a 2006 game. I’m not sure whether to qualify that as a bad year. The Cards had their worst record in a while, but they won the World Series. But still, this was an 83-win team.The starters were Anthony Reyes and John Smoltz. Albert Pujols and Scott Rolen, two of my favorite players, went 2-for-4 (2B, HR) and 0-for-4, respectively.

Game Four: Brewers at Diamondbacks, Final Score 1-8

My Team: Diamondbacks. Venue: Bank One Ballpark

This marks the only game I’ve seen in Arizona. This marks the first win I’ve seen in my score books, so my record is at 1-3. The D-Backs got 13 hits off of Chris Capuano and the Brewers’ bullpen, while the Brandon Webb-led D-Backs kept the Brewers to 8 hits (Webb allowed 6 of those in 7 innings).

Game Five: White Sox at Orioles, Final Score 13-11

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