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New York Post
Craig Counsell reveals how Taylor Swift candle contributed to Cubs’ hot streak
By Jenna Lemoncelli,
9 hours ago
Cubs fans are celebrating the impact of Taylor Swift.
Before a second straight victory against the Pirates on Tuesday that marked a fourth win in five games, Cubs manager Craig Counsell said a pregame tradition with “a Taylor Swift candle” is the reason for the team’s recent victory lap.
“I was gifted a Taylor Swift candle, and we’ve been lighting that before games in my office — clubhouse manager Danny Miller [and I],” Counsell, 54, said before Chicago beat Pittsburgh, 9-5, at PNC Park.
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 27, 2024 Cubs manager Craig Counsell said a pregame tradition with “a Taylor Swift candle” was the reason for the team’s recent success before a second straight victory against the Pirates at PNC Park on Aug. 27, 2024. X
“We’ve been on a nice little run here, so we’re going to credit Taylor Swift,” he said, smiling.
That roll continued Wednesday when the Cubs (68-66) tallied a 14-10 win to complete a three-game sweep of the Pirates (62-71).
The candle is labeled “This Smells Like Taylor Swift,” according to MLB.com , which published a photo of it on its website.
Taylor Swift performs onstage during “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour” at Wembley Stadium on Aug. 15, 2024 in London. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management https://www.instagram.com/p/CRzbzGEAg3G
Counsell did not disclose the scent of the Swift-themed candle — which is made by Candle Babes , a sister run business in Chicago that sells hand-poured candles.
It retails for $21 and comes in a variety of scents including Beverly Hills, Cactus Blossom, Mahogany Coconut and Sexy Cowboy.
The interviewer, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network, mentioned “there’s a lot of Swifties in Cubs nation” and that there “might be some luck coming from those Swifties that have impacted the Cubs.”
Cubs manager Craig Counsell said a pregame tradition with “a Taylor Swift candle” was the reason for the team’s recent success before a victory against the Pirates at PNC Park on Aug. 27, 2024. X
Many Chicago fans and Swifties alike enjoyed Counsell’s comments.
“If the Cubs make the playoffs, I’ll listen to every one of her songs from her 1st album to her last,” one person wrote on X .
“Let’s go,” another added , including a GIF of Swift pumping her arm in the air.
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (middle) greets shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) crossing home plate on a two-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park on August 27, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Although Swift seems to have no direct ties to the Cubs, she went public with her and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce’s relationship at an NFL game against the Bears last fall.
The Grammy-winning singer nearly broke the internet when she was spotted in a private suite at Arrowhead Stadium with Kelce’s friends and family, including his mom Donna Kelce, to watch the Chiefs crush the Bears, 41-10, on Sept. 24.
Donna Kelce (L) and Taylor Swift (R) cheer from a suite as the Kansas City Chiefs play the Chicago Bears at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. Getty Images
It marked Swift’s first public appearance at an NFL game in support of Kelce.
The three-time Super Bowl champ was the first to initiate their first meeting, as he previously shared on his “New Heights” podcast that he attended Swift’s “Eras Tour” concert, and tried to give her a friendship bracelet with his phone number on it.
Kelce explained that Swift wasn’t meeting with anyone at the time in order to preserve her voice for her three-hour show.
The two later connected and began quietly dating last summer.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift arrive at the ‘SNL’ Afterparty on October 15, 2023 in New York City. GC Images
Swift and Kelce, both 34, stepped out publicly together for the first time while out in New York City last October.
The NFL star followed Swift on her “Eras Tour” in Europe after he helped the Chiefs beat the 49ers in the Super Bowl in February.
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