Why do baseball players avoid talking about a no-hitter during a game?

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Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers, wearing a white uniform and helmet, watches his hit while holding a bat during a game at Dodger Stadium. — Baseball Freddie Freeman, shown here in a 2023 game, was named World Series MVP in 2024 after hitting four home runs and driving in 12 runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In baseball, the practice of avoiding mention of a no-hitter in progress is rooted in superstition. Players and teammates often refrain from using the words "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to avoid "jinxing" the pitcher's performance.

This unwritten rule, part of a collection of baseball traditions known as "The Code," often results in the pitcher being left isolated in the dugout during the game to maintain the focus and momentum required to complete the feat.1