This title explores the quirks and oddities of some of the biggest names and lesser-known figures in the world of sports, from the player who ate chicken before every game to the coach who chewed on towels on the sidelines. The title also features informative sidebars, a glossary, and further resources. SportsZone is an imprint of Abdo Publishing Company.

This title explores the legends and lore behind the billy goat, the Bambino, and other suspicious phenomena in the world of sports. The title also features informative sidebars, a glossary, and further resources. SportsZone is an imprint of Abdo Publishing Company.

This title explores the most shocking upsets in sports history, from Super Bowl stunners to unexpected Olympics heroics. The title also features informative sidebars, a glossary, and further resources. SportsZone is an imprint of Abdo Publishing Company.

In this fully updated edition of Believing in Magic, renowned superstition expert Stuart Vyse investigates our tendency towards these irrational beliefs.

"If you've ever wanted the definitive answers on subjects such as black cats and white heather, look no further than this classic dictionary. Entries are illustrated by quotations that trace their development through the centuries. A work of reference for anyone with an interest in superstitions and their history." "Entries give real examples of usage, illustrating the meaning, history, and origin of superstitions. Subjects covered include spells, cures, rituals, taboos, charms, and omens. The dictionary is fully cross-referenced for easy browsing."--BOOK JACKET.

Going to a baseball game? Don't expect the teams to care about a rookie's first home run. But do watch for Bryce Harper's bat tapping ritual each time he's up for bat. But first, slide into the ins and outs of good fun and good luck in baseball. With engaging text and striking photos, this book will delight young sports fan with some of the best and weirdest practices on the field and in the stands.

Don't walk under ladders! Place a star on the top of your Christmas tree. Superstitions and traditions often govern how we participate in life. But what of the uniquely Canadian superstitions and traditions practiced across the country? - Canadian folklore suggests eating fish from the head downward; for a filet of fish, eat the widest part first and then move downward - In Alberta, picking blackberries after October 11 is bad luck because by this time in the year, the devil has surely laid claim to the remaining berries - A First Nations ritual advises blessing a new home by taking smoldering sage from room to room and saying prayers; this will banish everything from evil spirits to ill feelings - A Manitoba urban legend says that if you run around St. Andrews-on-the-Red near Lockport three times at midnight, you'll disappear - In dustbowl Depression-era Saskatchewan it was believed that a red sky at night in the springtime meant the next day would be a windy one, too windy for farmers to seed - According to one old folktale, the captain of a schooner off the coast of Nova Scotia turned back to port when he discovered one of his crewmen had grey mittens; undertakers wore grey mittens, so it was like asking for a death on the journey. And so much more...

Draws on medical case histories, scientific findings, and personal research by the author to separate myth from fact and debunk a vast array of parental edicts.

One of North America's best-known hockey writers examines the strangest rituals and superstitions within the NHL. Why did Wayne Gretzky start every pre-game warm-up by shooting wide to the right of the net (a rather funny habit, given that he scored more goals than anyone in the game's history)? Why do many hockey players seem to believe performance is tied directly to facial hair? Why does Geoff Sanderson use a different length stick for every period? And why did Petr Klima break his stick after every goal he scored? Hockey Superstitions, by one of Canada's best-known hockey writers, Andrew Podnieks, explores the fascinating and fun world of hockey superstitions: their origins, their quirks, and the mythology around them. Along the way, it gives us an original look into the minds of the players and coaches behind them.