The superstition began during a 1966 game against the Houston Astros, when Whelan shouted from the dugout at Astros' pitcher Dave Giusti, "You're gonna walk him!"
A widely-held belief originated in a 1966 match against the Houston Astros, when Whelan shouted from the dugout at Astros' pitcher Dave Giusti, "He's going to get a free pass!"