A 1912 wire service article that appeared in The Lexington Herald revealed some of the “superstitions” and “eccentricities” of several ballplayers:
“Nap Lajoie always draws a line in the dirt in the batter’s box before taking his position. He will not face the batter without this preliminary.”
Napoleon Lajoie
“Bill Donovan dislikes to strike out the first batter. He believes it the forerunner to bad luck.”
Bill Donovan
“Barney Pelty must throw a curve ball just before starting to pitch. His last to the catcher when warming up between innings is always a curve.”
Barney Pelty
“Rube Oldring insists on the little mascot of the Athletics standing in a certain place when he is at bat.”
Rube Oldring
“Heinie Peitz, when manager of the (Louisville) Colonels, was averse to having any pictures taken of his team. He believed it hoodooed the game.”
Heinie Peitz
“Rabbit Robinson never touches the plate with his bat, but he says he is not superstitious.”
William Clyde “Rabbit” Robinson
Baseball History Daily 
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