Baseball Superstitions Big With Rangers Fans

ARLINGTON (CBS 11 NEWS) -  The Texas Rangers began their quest for a repeat World Series appearance Friday with the first game of the playoffs against the Tampa Bay Rays. But when it comes to winning, many fans credit not just the players on the field, but their own actions in the stands.

"Oh man, this is great! It's just a different feeling," fan Jennifer DeGroot said.

Well before the Rangers took the field, playoff excitement was in the air near the Ballpark in Arlington. Hundreds of fans gathered to tailgate hours before the gates officially opened.

"I'm bringing my good luck to the Texas Rangers today - they will win! I guarantee it," Tom Ames said.

But this year, enthusiastic fans are bringing more than just their spirit to the game.

"I wear this outfit to every game, I carry the same purse. If I don't do it, I blame it on myself," Lexii Saldivar said.

"I always wear the same shirt and hat to every game and they've won so it has to be working," laughed Brad Largent.

Superstition is big at the Ballpark. Die hard Rangers fans believe the outcome of a game hinges on what they do, say or even wear.  You can forget about the lucky rabbit's foot - these superstitions run deep.

"I haven't changed my underwear since last time we lost," exclaimed one excited fan.

For Kathy Clark, superstition is all about behavior. "Our cookout - we did it all last season, it was a great season, so we're getting into the groove of the same thing we did last year."

"This is our new mascot - our new good luck charm," Stacy Largent said of her Rangers gnome.

So, there's the lucky jersey, hat gnome and even underwear. But, some fans are even superstitious about their superstitions.

"If we say anything negative about it - or question the superstition - then you know, it's power may go away so we don't do that," fan Brad Largent said. "We always speak very positively about the superstition."

So you can bet that fans here will continue to stick with what works--or what they think works--to keep the wins coming.

"Oh, yeah - it's worked so far for us - so we're not going to say anything bad about it because it might not work," Largent said.

(Editor's note:  A shameless plug here: If you're looking for Rangers playoffs gear, the CBSDFW.COM Fan Shop has everything you could ask for.)