Joy of hex! Rooters work their magic

A PAIR OF sweat socks that haven’t been washed all season. A shot of cognac at a local dive. A Yankee cap festooned with pins.

The thoughts of Yankee fans turned to all manner of good luck charms to help will a victory for the Bronx Bombers in Game 5 of the ALCS.

On the first baseline of the field level stands, Philippe Ortiz, 28, swore by the magic of a pair of stinky black Nike athletic socks.

“I try and wear these every time they play,” the management consultant from New Jersey said.

“And I swear to you, I haven’t washed these socks all season. It’s disgusting, I know. And I wouldn’t wish the scent on anyone. But it’s just something I have done since I was much younger, when I was doing Little League.”

Ortiz said it started as a joke, but then the ritual started to show results.

“I guess I can’t explain why they lose when I wear them, but I definitely always am wearing them when they win,” he said. “So everybody here should be thanking my awful smelling feet for this series right now.”

Robyn, 46, of the Bronx, said she and her friend get a shot of Hennessey’s cognac at Stan’s Sports Bar, the hole in the wall across from the Stadium.

“It just sets the energy right for the night,” she said. “I feel like baseball is a tradition thing, I honestly can’t remember if they lose when we don’t do it. But it seems important that we do.”

Standing in the bleachers, Barry Sawyer, 32, of Harlem, was troubled.

He didn’t have time to fetch the lucky pin-covered cap he believes bestows wins upon his pinstriped heroes.

“I’m not wearing it because I didn’t know I was coming to the game today,” he explained. “My boss surprised me with tickets.”

He insisted, “Every time I wear the hat with the pins they win. And the jersey, I just like to be in the team spirit. I’m actually in Yankee Stadium. Me just being here might be enough to keep them winning.”

The Yankees won 5-0, so something seemed to be working.