Strange Superstitious Things Sports Figures Have Done

Whether any of us wants to admit it, sports isn't all about which team has the most talent or best strategy, proving that good luck is a major factor in a game's outcome.

Sure, an athlete wouldn't ever necessarily say that, but we all know that it's true, as the ball just bounces the wrong way sometimes, which leads to heartbreak that can't be explained.

We've all heard of destiny and fate, but, what if, by some miraculous power, it has a lot to do with a superstition that a sports figure performed, maintaining the belief that fate always seemed to work out in his or her favor.

Over the years, there have been plenty of strange superstitions in sports, and I'm giving you some of the weirdest, as these people believed that their luck came from a higher power.

The New York Mets' Rally Cap

Ray Stubblebine/Associated Press

Superstition: Rearranged their hats in hopes of a rally.

Although the Texas Rangers teams in 1977 are, generally, recognized as the first club to take their caps off to help "rally-up" their teammates, the phenomenon gained the most attention during the 1986 World Series between the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox.

That's because TV cameras showed the Mets dugout wearing hats in strange ways to help spark a rally in Game 6, needing some luck in order to do so.

Seeing as how Bill Buckner gaffed a routine bouncer to first base to help the Mets take the game and, eventually, win the series in Game 7, it appeared that the superstitious move worked.

Patrick Roy

PAUL CONNORS/Associated Press

Superstition: Would talk to goalposts for good luck.

Considering that Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy won four Stanley Cup titles and had more victories than any other netminder in NHL history when he retired—since broken—maybe his weird superstition of talking to goal posts shouldn't be laughed at.

Still, that doesn't mean that it's not weird, right?

To think that Roy's careless whispers to the iron directly affected his win-loss percentage as a goalie will never be known, but if you ask him, he would absolutely believe it did.

Only in sports would he not be considered a complete weirdo for doing something like this.

Richie Ashburn

Associated Press

Superstition: Slept with his bat to keep a hot streak alive.

A Hall of Famer who played 15 major league seasons, Richie Ashburn may have found the trick to becoming one of the best players of his generation: sleeping with a bat!

That's right, the former center fielder actually used to do that when he had a good day at the plate, concerned that team equipment managers wouldn't be able to separate the good bats from the other bats, which could result in a slump at the plate.

So for all of you baseball players out there wondering what it takes to truly bust out of a slump, treating your bat like a first date might be the best option.

Sidney Crosby

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Superstition: Various, like not calling his mom on game days and wearing just one hat all season long.

He may be the most talented hockey player on the planet, but that doesn't mean that Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby isn't one of the most superstitious athletes out there.

In this video from a couple of years ago, Sid the Kid shows a few of his strange rituals, including the process he goes through of taping his stick before games.

Oh, and if that's not strange enough for you, Crosby also doesn't let his sticks be touched after he has taped them up before games, redoing them if anyone dares to lay a glove on one of them.

Lastly, the guy only wears one hat for each NHL season, making sure that the one he dons has the best sweat stain of all-time.

Crosby is talented as hell, but he's also a little bit too OCD if you ask me.

Turk Wendell

Superstition: Various, including wearing an animal tooth necklace and brushing his teeth between every inning.

Former MLB pitcher Turk Wendell sure was a character, wasn't he?

In addition to wearing an animal tooth and nail necklace around his neck during the latter portion of his career, the reliever would brush his teeth between every inning, bringing a whole new meaning to good dental hygiene.

Clearly, Wendell had some serious routines that would make him try to feel comfortable while out on the mound, but even then, I'm not sure he was able to just relax—I mean, that's a lot of work just to throw a baseball.

What I wouldn't give to be in this guy's mind—so bizarre. 

Bruce Gardiner

BILL KOSTROUN/Associated Press

Superstition: Would dip the blade of his hockey stick into a locker room toilet.

Scoring 22 career goals in his six-year NHL career, one wouldn't think that former right-winger Bruce Gardiner would be so superstitious when he went into a scoring slump.

However, he proved that he was, in fact, somewhat of a nut when he didn't light up the red light.

During his rookie season, Gardiner had asked one of his veteran teammates what he should do to break out of a slump he was in, with the 'mate, jokingly, telling him to dunk the blade of his stick into a locker room toilet.

Trusting that this would actually work, Gardiner did it—and continued to do so anytime he fell into a bit of a rut throughout his career.

Ecuador's 2006 Men's World Cup Team

CHRISTOF STACHE/Associated Press

Superstition: Hired a shaman to drive out evil spirits before the 2006 World Cup.

Prior to the Ecuadorian men's national soccer team taking the pitch in Germany for the 2006 World Cup, the team sent a shaman—otherwise known as a healer of bad spirits—to all of the 12 venues that were to host a match in the tournament.

Hoping to banish all evil spirits, the strange superstition may have actually worked out, as Ecuador had its most successful trip ever in the World Cup, advancing to the round of 16 before losing to England.

Maybe this is something more teams should look into utilizing?

Joe Maddon

Paul Beaty/Associated Press

Superstition: Hired a magician to end Chicago Cubs losing skid.

Perceived as one of the most unlucky sports franchises ever, the Chicago Cubs have had their fair share of strange moments in their storied history.

From black cats to billy goats and, finally, to Steve Bartman, the Cubbies and their fans seem to try anything in order to get some good luck on their side.

And while they're still awaiting the chance at winning their first World Series since 1908, when they fall into a five-game slump—as they recently did—first-year manager Joe Maddon doesn't want to risk negative vibes infiltrating his clubhouse.

According to the Associated Press, Maddon actually hired a magician to help lighten the mood for the team, as well as turn the Cubs' bats around against a recent game versus the New York Mets.

With the second half of the MLB season upon them, this might just be the spark the team needs to make a postseason push.

Barry Fry

Superstition: Peed in four corners of the soccer field to dispose of witch doctors.

For all you soccer fans out there who know who he is, hearing that former head coach Barry Fry had some strange superstitions isn't too shocking.

However, knowing what the former Birmingham City manager actually did is probably a bit of a surprise.

In an attempt to cure his team's witch doctor curse—because, you know, that's a common thing to happen to teams in the West Midlands of England—Fry dropped trou and actually pissed in all four corners of the pitch to try to turn his team's fortunes around.

It may have been a strange thing to do, but, who knows, maybe it helped them get a few more victories that they otherwise wouldn't have—or maybe he's just a little bit insane?

Juan Manuel Marquez

Superstition: Would drink his own urine for his health and to help him win.

What in the hell is it with sports figures believing that their piss will bring them good fortune?

On top of the aforementioned Barry Fry peeing in four corners of a soccer field, boxing champ Juan Manuel Marquez uses his urine to help fend off any bad luck—except he does some even stranger things with it.

And when I say strange, I mean disgusting, as the Mexican fighter actually admitted a few years ago that he drinks his pee because it's healthy and helps him win.

Realizing that this is one messed up routine, Marquez dropped the whole yellow liquid diet in recent years, meaning he's now approachable to talk to—but I still wouldn't share a drink with him.