The Bagdonas Jinx: Is It A Real Thing?
The Bagdonas jinx is something I coined a couple of weeks ago, and it has bitten me ever since. I am starting to think it might be a real thing. Last night is the most recent example I can give.
ICYMI, the CONCACAF Gold Cup had its semi-finals yesterday. The United States was predicted to easily take care of Panama and advance to the final. However, the game entered extra time at 0-0. Both teams got a goal in the extra 30 minutes, meaning there would be a penalty shootout.
With the USMNT even at 2-2 and Panama taking their third kick, US goalie Matt Turner made a great save after some mind games with the Panamanian player. Of course, I had to open my mouth as the US lost moments later. Check out this soccer Slack exchange for yourself:
Example Two
Let’s flashback to Monday night. MLB had its annual home run derby that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won (which Trey nailed). However, I didn’t initially think that was the case. There was a feeling in me that Mets slugger Pete Alonso would rectify his early exit last year and make the final. Furthermore, I had doubts about Vlad and believed Mookie Betts would catch him. The following screenshots highlight both the cruelty and precision of the Bagdonas jinx:
For reference, both Alonso and Adley Rutschman lost in the first round. To add insult to injury, I kept the jinx going in the semifinals. Personally, I would have loved to see a final between Luis Robert Jr. and the hometown star Julio Rodriguez. However, you already know what happened next:
The complete opposite happened and I should have known better. Onto one more example.
Example 3
My last example comes from the 2023 Champions League final. It was a very tense game that Manchester City ultimately won 1-0. However, City star Kevin De Bruyne got subbed off in the middle of the game injured. And of course, it all came after I spoke it into existence right?
You just can’t make it up. Time will tell if the Bagdonas jinx is truly a real thing. Perhaps there will be another post down the line with more examples I set up. But for now, there have been some unfortunate and weird coincidences.
