George Gmelch
George Gmelch
admit ask ballpark deny players realized reluctant rituals themselves today
Most players today would deny being superstitious. It's kind of pejorative. But if you ask them what they do to give themselves confidence, they'll tell about their rituals and beliefs, how they like to get to the ballpark at 3:03. All that is superstition. If they realized it really is functional, they wouldn't be so reluctant to admit it.
attempt bring certainty occupation soldiers uncertain
It's an attempt to bring certainty into an uncertain world. Soldiers do the same thing every occupation with a lot of uncertainty.