Bob Schwartz

There are no atheists among baseball fans around the playoffs.

That needs clarifying. “Baseball gods” are not necessarily God in the conventional sense. Some fans will indeed pray to the Abrahamic God for team success, or if not Judaeo/Christian/Muslim, to their own parallel supreme deities.

Baseball gods are where a fan, true believer or not, seeks extra help for their team. Whether your team is an overwhelming favorite to win the whole thing, including the World Series, or your team is a long shot, the principle is the same: talent is not enough.

Twelve teams have survived the long, long season—162 grueling games—yet there are still more games to play against strong opponents. For those remaining games, talent is not enough. Something more is needed.

That’s where prayers to the baseball gods come in. Does each team have its own god? Is each of those gods equally powerful to give their team that extra something, that special boost, that can make the difference? Do those gods have playoffs among themselves? Who knows? Not me. Baseball theology is not my specialty.

It is too risky to leave baseball up to the talent of the players and the wisdom of the managers. If a little extra help is needed and sought, what’s the harm? In the playoffs, we want to enjoy the thrill of victory and avoid the agony of defeat. Whatever we believe, we pray on.

© 2023 by Bob Schwartz