Baseball Superstitions with Turk Wendell | Sources Tell Jeff Passan

Baseball has always been a game of routines, rituals, and maybe a little bit of magic. This week on Sources Tell Jeff Passan, Jeff explores the fascinating world of baseball superstitions.
Former MLB pitcher Turk Wendell—one of the most famously superstitious players in baseball history—joins the show to discuss the routines that defined his career and why he never considered them superstitions at all.
Then, psychologist and author Dr. Stuart Vyse breaks down the science behind superstition: why athletes cling to rituals, why we believe certain behaviors can influence outcomes, and what those habits reveal about the human mind.

Timecodes:
0:00 Welcome to Sources Tell Jeff Passan
2:15 Turk Wendell joins the show
2:50 Difference between superstitions and routines
4:45 Turk’s routines: Jumping over foul line
6:15 Turk’s routines: Drawing crosses on mound
6:28 Turk’s routines: Squatting when catcher stands
8:30 Hunting same deer for 3 years
10:15 Turk’s hunting necklace
11:08 Hunting mountain lion story
13:45 Turk’s routines: Spiking rosin bag
16:05 Turk’s love of sticky stuff
20:23 Did hitters have a problem with his routines?
24:05 Turk’s routines: Chewing licorice & brushing teeth
29:05 Turk not a fan of socks or underwear
31:55 Wearing 13 and 99
33:45 Did teammates mess with superstitions?
36:30 Other famous superstitions
38:40 Playing baseball commando
41:50 Talking about no hitters while they're happening
44:25 Lucky clothing
44:50 Turk’s penny collection
47:20 Grading other superstitions
48:15 Success from his routines
49:20 Dr. Stuart Vyse joins the show

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