The biggest superstition or ritual for each MLB team

By Brad Weiss | May 13, 2019

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 9: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees delivers the first pitch in the first inning during Game 4 of the ALDS against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

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CHICAGO – OCTOBER 6: Jose Valverde of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrates after the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois on October 6, 2007. The Diamondbacks defeated the Cubs 5-1 to advance to the NLCS. (Photo by Jonathan Willey/Arizona Diamondbacks/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Arizona Diamondbacks: The Legend of Jose Valverde

When it comes to the Arizona Diamondbacks, they have had their fair share of superstitious players in the history of their franchise. However, one player that stands above all others is former closer Jose Valverde, whose superstitious ways are the stuff of legend in the desert.

Valverde pitched for the Diamondbacks through the first five years of his Major League Baseball career, becoming one of the better closers in all of baseball. In fact, Valverde made the National League All-Star team in his final season in the desert, where he led the league in saves with 47.

During his time with Arizona, Valverde had an incredible ritual before and during games. He only chewed three pieces of gum at a time, and after calling his wife when he got to the ballpark, he would not speak another word to anybody until the first inning began. Once on the mound, his gyrations are what set him apart from other pitchers in the game.

After leaving Arizona, Valverde would go on to lead the league in saves the following season, with 44 for the Houston Astros. His best seasons may have come in Detroit, where he was twice named to the All-Star Game, and had a career-high 49 saves in 2011. However, he will always be known as the most superstitious player in Arizona history.

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