Baseball’s Rituals and Superstitions
Baseball is widely seen as a game dominated by statistics—batting averages, ERA, launch angles, and exit velocities have shaped the sport in recent years. However, among the numbers, every player knows that the game is influenced by rituals, charms, and a collective wariness of tempting fate. Players avoid mentioning no-hitters, refrain from stepping on the foul line, and if a pair of socks has brought good luck for a week, washing them is out of the question.
The Dodgers and Their Misfortunes
Despite the numerous rituals intended to please the baseball gods, some teams remain seemingly cursed. According to a recent analysis by Casino.ca, the current back-to-back World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, are among those teams.
Researchers studied seven full seasons (2017–2024) tracking nine different types of misfortunes, from blown leads to bizarre incidents and playoff heartbreaks. The conclusion may resonate with long-time Dodgers fans: Los Angeles was rated as the second most cursed team in Major League Baseball, earning a “curse score” of 20, significantly higher than the league average of 13. Only the Pittsburgh Pirates ranked above them.
Key Areas of Struggle
Where do the Dodgers consistently stumble? They’ve experienced numerous blown leads (6), wherein they held a substantial advantage but still lost the game. A prime example is the April 25, 2021, game against the Padres, where they lost 8-7 after holding a 7-1 lead. Additionally, past playoff heartbreaks (5) haunt Dodgers fans, including the tainted 2017 World Series loss to the Astros and various other traumatic postseason exits.
Controversial calls and bizarre plays have also contributed to their struggles, with six notable instances of missed opportunities and odd occurrences causing frustration among fans. These happenings often feel like reminders of a deeper curse lurking in Chavez Ravine.
Resilience Amidst Challenges
This narrative isn’t one of a floundering franchise. The Dodgers excel in regular season play, frequently surpassing 100 wins and consistently claiming NL West titles. However, the weight of past failures intensifies the disappointment when postseason challenges arise. While they did win the championship in 2020, some fans view that title as less significant due to the unusual circumstances of the pandemic-shortened season.
In 2024, the Dodgers began to confront their postseason demons, rallying from dire situations to reach the World Series and ultimately claiming their first full season crown since 1988. They repeated their success in 2025, displaying remarkable tenacity as they navigated through the playoffs and faced the Toronto Blue Jays in a challenging World Series.
Curse or Bad Luck?
The findings from Casino.ca do not suggest that the Dodgers are doomed for eternity. Instead, they highlight a troubling trend: when the stakes are highest, Los Angeles seems more prone to misfortune than others. Whether it’s blown leads or questionable calls, the team often finds itself beset by challenges in crucial moments.
A Final Reflection
Baseball is a blend of talent and superstition, where both statistics and fate play a role. For Dodgers fans, the curse score serves as a reminder of the unique tension that endures in October. Just as curses were lifted for the Red Sox and Cubs, one can hope that the Dodgers’ back-to-back championships have finally put to rest the curse that has haunted them since 1988.
