From the editor: Superstitious about the red-hot Reds? Here's an omen you need to know

Baseball is legendary for its superstitions. Joe DiMaggio would religiously touch second base when trotting out to his position in centerfield. Ken Griffey Jr. said in an interview he once entered a slump after buying a new Mercedes, so he sold the car. And then there's the story about former Tigers skipper Jim Leyland's boxer shorts. No need to go into detail there.

The red-hot Cincinnati Reds celebrate home runs by adorning the batter with a Viking helmet and cape. I haven’t verified this with anyone on the team, but the Law of Baseball Superstition would suggest they must continue this amusing ritual, lest they break the spell that launched them into first place in the NL Central.

As I write this, the Reds have won their 11th game in a row – the team’s longest winning streak since 1957. Are they destined to win the pennant and play in their first World Series since 1990’s wire-to-wire season? If you’re looking for an omen, I present to you The Enquirer Factor.

In 2021, Kelsey Conway took over as The Enquirer’s lead Bengals writer. When we offered her the job, I was almost apologetic – the Bengals had just wrapped up a dismal, four-win season. Fans were questioning whether Zac Taylor had the ability to coach in the NFL and Joe Burrow’s season ended early with a torn ACL. 

“But I’m optimistic,” I remember saying. “They could be really good in a couple of years if Burrow gets some help from the offensive line.”

You know the rest of the story. The Bengals got hot in the last half of the 2021 season, and Kelsey Conway – in her first year covering the team – followed them all the way to the Super Bowl.

Coincidence? I thought so. But consider this.

Gordon Wittenmyer joined Then Enquirer on June 5, replacing Bobby Nightengale as our lead Reds writer. The team was below .500 and 5-and-a-half games out of first place, reeling from a disappointing 7-15 start. Again, I was slightly apologetic, though less so than I was with Conway since Wittenmyer had previously covered the Cubs. 

An introduction:Meet Gordon Wittenmyer, your new Cincinnati Reds beat reporter

Since Wittenmyer took over the beat, the Reds – as of this writing – have a 14-2 record and sit alone atop the NL Central.

Yes, it’s early. But in a sport laden with superstition and ritual, we’d be wise to pay heed to The Enquirer Factor.

Enquirer Women of the Year nominations are open

Nominations are being accepted for the Enquirer Women of the Year awards. 

Introduced by The Enquirer in 1968, the program recognizes local women who have been the driving force behind philanthropic efforts, improving life in our community through their investment of time, energy and their belief in helping others.

To nominate someone, go online to www.enquirerwoy.com. Deadline is noon Friday, Aug. 4.

Send us your questions on Ohio Issue 1

It’s not often a state changes the rules for amending its constitution, but that’s the question before Ohio voters in the Aug. 8 special election. 

Issue 1 would require 60% of voters to enact a proposed constitutional amendment, instead of a simple majority of 50% plus one that's currently required. Why now? Tangled up in the complicated ballot measure is abortion access and efforts to undo restrictions recently passed by the Ohio Legislature.

Ahead of the election, The Enquirer’s Statehouse bureau will break it all down to help voters cut through the rhetoric. If you have questions about Issue 1, email reporter Haley BeMiller at hbemiller@gannett.com. Your input will help us address what's on voters' minds.

Enquirer Executive Editor Beryl Love writes a biweekly column that takes you behind the scenes at The Enquirer. Occasionally, he shares his thoughts on local issues, particularly as they pertain to a free press and open government. Email him at blove@enquirer.com. He can’t respond personally to every email, but he reads them all.