The reason the article is reprinted so much, I believe, is that it's a reminder that we're no different, ... Sure, these tribal people have all these beliefs and practices that seem so weird - but look at what we do. It's the same thing. It speaks to human nature.

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.