“Very superstitious - writing on the wall,” is the opening line of Stevie Wonder song from 1972.

Many people have superstitions, and it seems lots of professional athletes have them too.

I’ve read about some baseball players who refuse to wash their socks, T-shirt or other article of clothing when they’re in the midst of a winning streak. 

That probably doesn’t sit well for the other players who share the locker room.

Some baseball players avoid stepping on the chalk line when they get on and off the field because they think it’s bad luck. 

Try doing that on a football field!

Some batters go through a ritual before stepping in the batter’s box - pulling at their sleeve, tapping their spikes with the bat or adjusting their helmet. It could be that they’re just getting comfortable. But I’ll bet it’s more than comfort for some, it’s a superstition.

The great Hank Aaron would never put on his helmet until he got to the batter’s box. Was it superstition? Maybe. It worked for him. He hit 755 home runs in his career.

Many baseball broadcasters avoid mentioning the fact that a pitcher has a no-hitter going late in the game. They believe, or at least keep the tradition, of not “jinxing” the pitcher by talking about it. 

I never had any superstitions when I played baseball. In the semi-pro league, I  had a favorite bat. But once it broke, I didn’t panic or believe I would never get a hit again.

I had a favorite glove, but only because it was the only glove I owned.

I used any helmet that happened to fit.

There wasn’t any reason to stop washing my socks or T-shirt to preserve a winning streak. I don’t believe we ever won more than three games in a row.

But back when I was a youngster, I had some superstitions as a baseball fan.

My team was the New York Mets, and they didn’t win many games in their early years. I know it had nothing to do with superstition, but whenever I watched a Mets game on TV, I didn’t mention it if they were leading late in the game. I thought that would jinx them.

It didn’t matter though. They managed to lose with or without my help.

But there’s one incident that Met fans remember well. And it will forever be part of superstition folklore.

It was Sept. 9, 1969, and the first-place Cubs were playing the Mets in New York. 

The Mets just happened to be having their best year ever, and had climbed in the standings from eight games back to second place within 1.5 games of Chicago.

With the Cubs batting in the fourth inning, a black cat walked past Ron Santo of the Cubs, who was standing in the on-deck circle. The cat stared into the Cubs dugout, then scampered under the bleachers.

Did it mean anything? Was it superstition - writing on the wall? 

To Mets fans it was. The Mets went on to win the game, then continued their streak the rest of the way.

The Cubs lost 17 of 25 games in September, while the Mets went 23-7, winning the division, the National League Pennant and the World Series.

Now, the Mets are on another winning streak. A few weeks ago they were almost in last place with the second worst record in the league.

But they have the best record in the majors since the All-Star break, and as of today (Thursday), have won 13 of their last 14 games.

Met fans are starting to talk about making it to the post season. It’s certainly possible, and they’re playing as well as any team in the league.

But even the best teams need a little bit of luck sometimes. 

So I’ve got my fingers crossed - just in case.