Mental matters

Sports psychologists are playing a bigger role than ever

Doug Gardner doesn't call himself a sports psychologist; "Sport psychology consultant" or "performance enhancement expert" are his preferred terms. He has some training in psychology but, with a Ph.D in education from Boston University, he considers himself more of a teacher. To the Red Sox, who employ him, he's essentially a roving minor league instructor, someone who travels through the lower reaches of their farm system helping young players get acclimated to the non-physical rigors of the game "My job is to deal with the mental aspects of baseball," he says. "How does someone's thinking affect their performance, and how does performance influence their thinking."

Gardner admits that many players' eyes glaze over when the topic of psychology is broached. Shea Hillenbrand isn't one of them, though. In his second major league season the Red Sox third baseman is off to a sizzling start -- he hit .341 with five homers and 23 RBIs in April -- and he gives much of the credit for his on-field success to the work he has done on the phone and in the clubhouse with Gardner over the past three years. "If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be where I am," Hillenbrand says. "I talk to him two or three times a week. He knows me better than anyone here does."

Gardner isn't alone. Several organizations now have sports psychologists on their major league staffs and/or in their minor league systems. Dr. Charles Maher, the Indians' team shrink and a professor at Rutgers, has an office a few steps outside the home clubhouse at Jacobs Field. When John Hart left Cleveland to become general manager of the Rangers last year, he brought along one of Maher's assistants, Ray Negron, to work under Texas' incumbent performance enhancement coordinator, Don Kalkstein. Last year, sports psychologist Gary Mack retired as the Mariners' team counselor, a post he held for 21 years.

Think teams don't take the psychological side of the sport seriously? This spring the Indians were considering signing outfielder and equipment thief Ruben Rivera after the Yankees dumped him. After he interviewed with Maher, the Indians decided not to pursue Rivera. (He later signed with the Rangers.)

For some players, these "head" coaches are as important as any hitting or pitching instructor. Take Hillenbrand. In the minors and as a rookie last year, he was known for his lack of discipline at the plate; In 2001, he walked just 13 times in 493 plate appearances and saw fewer pitches per at-bat than anyone else in the American League. In the minors, Hillenbrand (.313 in five seasons) got away with his jacking just fine. It caught up with him in the bigs, however, where he hit .263 in his first season and struggled against pitchers who realized they could get him out without throwing the ball near the strike zone.

In addition to watching video of his at-bats and making a few slight mechanical adjustments this winter, Hillenbrand turned to Gardner, with whom he had worked as he progressed through Boston's system. Gardner, a former intern of Maher's in Cleveland, eschews what he calls "psychobabble," the dream analysis and couch ruminations that most of us associate with mental health professionals. Rather, he helps players keep their perspective, to view what they're going through on the field as a challenge instead of a problem, and to keep from feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of pro ball. The message is more complex than just staying upbeat. "Most people tell athletes not to think," Gardner says. "I teach them how to think. It's about defining your reality and being proactive rather than positive."

That's probably not the advice Casey Stengel gave his troops, but Hillenbrand swears by it. Using Gardner often as a sounding board helps him keep his mind clear and focused on what he needs to do be successful. Last year Hillenbrand felt clueless at times; "survivor mode," he calls it. Gardner helps keep that feeling at bay. This year, Hillenbrand is more relaxed and, not coincidentally, more patient at the plate. Through Wednesday, he already has seven walks and is routinely going four or fives pitches deep into the count. "To us, discipline at the plate is a mental thing," Gardner says. "You have to have an idea of what you're going to do up there and how pitchers will pitch you. It's not just taking the first pitch."

Says Hillenbrand, "It's about getting to know yourself, allowing yourself to break things down so you can understand what you're doing. I've got the mental part of this game pretty much under control."

Sports Illustrated staff writer Stephen Cannella covers the baseball beat for the magazine. Touching Base appears every week on CNNSI.com.

 

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