Another guy named Chad
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 09, 2010 
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I don’t know Chad Bohling especially well. The way I understand it, when he was hired to be the Yankees director of mental conditioning, Bohling didn’t talk to the media at all. Even non-baseball small talk was almost unheard of. Since I’ve known him, though, he’s been very easy to talk to during his two- or three-day visits to Scranton, and he was easy going when I saw him again during the big league playoffs.
Then again, I’ve never asked Bohling about his job or about any of the players he’s worked with, and I’m sure that’s the way the Yankees prefer it. There’s a reason you never read Bohling’s name in the papers.
There is a mental side to every sport. I don’t know whether that’s especially true in baseball, but I know it’s certainly true in baseball. Players get lost in their own heads all the time, and the Yankees have embraced the fact that there’s a mental side of the game that needs work, just like the physical side.
That mental work, though, isn’t talked about very often. Like Jeff wrote in this morning’s guest post, a lot of athletes carry a certain amount of pride. Hitters will talk all day about their work in the cage, but a lot of them either shut down or don’t know what to say when asked about the mental part of their preparation.
For most of us, it remains an unknown part of the game, the ultimate intangible.
Chad,
Good thoughts. I think athletes certainly benefit from a mental tuneup. It’s especially helpful in solo endeavors (gymnastics, tennis, golf, etc), or where individual players make an impact (volleyball). I don’t think it’s so helpful in basketball, which is which reactions and quick-twitch take over.
But if you think about it, it must be somewhat helpful in the game of baseball, which is often referred to as a game of failure. How does an athlete deal with that failure? (re-frame
) This is probably part of the manager’s job, knowing when to push, when to back off.
I think part of it would be the coaching staff making the player get back to basics and keeping it simple. Baseball (batting) slumps often come when a player is out of whack mechanically. (but ironically, slumps are often busted by an ugly hit like an “excuse me” hit).
Sports psychologists might have to intervene if there’s a mental block or issue. But I’m sure that managers, hitting coaches, and pitching coaches do their fair share of sports psycho-babble.
“Kate Veatch: Are you reading the dictionary?
White Goodman: Oh, you caught me. I like to break a mental sweat too.”
First thing i thought of with all this talk about the mental side of baseball.
Chad right on the money IMO. Again IMO, only the most macho/a person isn’t willing to acknowledge that sportsfigures are flesh and blood human beings who are as prone to the pressures of life as the rest of us – if not more so! At least we don’t walk around with the media and paparazzi (sp?) trying to get us every minute.
Austinmac I agree with that you said in the previous post. And while the average person, under huge stress, is able to pop a feel better pill (I don’t do them but I certainly understand and respect those who do), I don’t think players have that luxury since their game may be affected if they take any kind of central nervous system depressant.
Jeter’s Edge – New Guys, we need registered names and an edit button!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
“Kate Veatch: Are you reading the dictionary?
White Goodman: Oh, you caught me. I like to break a mental sweat too.”
First thing i thought of with all this talk about the mental side of baseball.
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LOL Good one!
An athlete would be served better to study disciplines like the Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method.
These teach an acute self-awareness of self-use, which requires the person learning remain in the present. That’s often the crux of the trouble right there – just staying present.
This way, you eliminate the need for a guru. The guru becomes you, and you become self-possessed.
I think Yogi Berra expressed it best when he said: Baseball is 90% mental; the other 50% is physical!
SJ, that’s true. Hopefully Javy will feel more comfortable this go round with this Joe and this clubhouse; I’m looking forward to seeing how he does. I just hope the fans will give the guy a break and forget 2004, which was the fault of everyone, not just Javy.
I wasn’t around (too young) for the Sox/Yanks rivalry in the 70’s, but it seems to me that the rivalry now is as white hot as it’s ever been. Granted, the players don’t hate each other (which is fine; I’m not sure why that’s necessary for a rivalry) and the GMs are friends, but the owners and fans hate each other and it’s a constant chess match between the two teams for supremacy in the American League East. Each team is always making moves with an eye out for what the other team is doing and, overall, it always seems like the Sox and Yankees provide incredible theatrics. Their games are long, drawn-out and almost bloody affairs – they may not be the most beautifully played games, but there are always fireworks.
SJ
It sounds like the RSox are scared they won’t re-sign Beckett or someone else may be interested. I saw this on MLB Trade Rumors:
“WEEI’s Rob Bradford explains why Josh Beckett’s shoulder will be a critical factor in whether the Red Sox re-sign the righty.
From Buster Olney this am:
‘What follows might represent the most interesting thing ever said by an agent trying to sell a client to a city: Scott Boras says Damon, who wants to play in Detroits, eats octopus — a Red Wings tradition, of course.’
***
Ok, lol. I guess the Red Wings should save all the octupii that end up on the ice and send it to Damon’s locker. Seriously, if Damon loves octopus so much, why didn’t he sign there years ago?
OT to Boddy –
This is a serious post. One of the most difficult things to do, for me anyway, is to live in the present. I work at it – which is why I never count down the days to pitchers and catchers, etc. – but commercial America has a way of propelling people through life! (When I was growing up, you never saw Christmas decorations in a store until Thanksgiving had passed. Need I say more?) Will reading the disciplines you mentioned help with that?
I don’t think that the majority of sportfigures are that introspective/have the time or inclination to really deal with the mental aspect of the game, so for those who are more like the Boomer Wellses of the sport, maybe a sports psychologist when need be.
Betsy
thanks, there were some octopus comments earlier and I didn’t know what they were referring to.
I don’t see Damon going to Detroit, when they could have kept Granderson.
Yeah, Boras also said that when Johnny goes to the zoo the only animal he wants to see is the panda – an Atlanta tradition. Oh wait, are the Nats looking for a DH also?
(I just made that up.)
Betsy -Romine wasn’t built in a day
February 9th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
From Buster Olney this am:
‘What follows might represent the most interesting thing ever said by an agent trying to sell a client to a city: Scott Boras says Damon, who wants to play in Detroits, eats octopus — a Red Wings tradition, of course.’
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Eating octopus is a Red Wings tradtion? I’ve never been brave enough to try octopus. lol
Randy brought up the Doc Ellis story the other day.
Talk about a player getting lost in their own head.
I think it’s an interesting study in regards to this topic.
Doc seemed to be a pretty good pitcher in the early 70′s. So he takes some LSD and pitches a no-hitter?
That’s either a bizarre coincidence or I don’t know what.
Upstate Kate, you’re welcome! I don’t get why Detroit would sign Damon and not just keep Granderson, but I’m glad they didn’t. Boras/Damon are so desperate, it’s ridiculous.
Erin, for some dumb reason, Red Wings fans throw octupii on the ice (I guess at the end of wins?)……I’ve no idea how it starte, but either way it’s gross. I refuse to eat octopus or calamari – blech.
Betsy -Romine wasn’t built in a day
February 9th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Erin, for some dumb reason, Red Wings fans throw octupii on the ice (I guess at the end of wins?)……I’ve no idea how it starte, but either way it’s gross. I refuse to eat octopus or calamari – blech.
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Thanks Betsy! I don’t follow hockey at all, so I had never heard that before. That’s really gross.
On the previous topic, someone quoted stats for Mantle from 61 to 63 WS. WOW! I guess they were too young to remember that Mantle was injured the last month of the season in 1961, and he faced Koufax & Drysdale in 62 & 63 if my memory serves me and they were almost unhittable those 2 years.
I’m not complaining about ARod, but be real about Mantle. Mantle had some terrific WS before that interval.
Betsy
In trading Granderson they shed a $26 million dollar contract and replaced him with AJax who’ll cost them about $1 mil + over the next 3yrs. That’s a $24 million dollar savings.
If they now sign Damon @ $5 mil for 1yr,let’s say, Then they have still saved $19 million in commited $ reasonably replaced Grandy’s production with Damon for this yr and have a cost controlled player in Austin Jackson for the next 5yrs who may end up being Granderson-like in the future.
See the logic now?
the tigers were looking to get out from under an escalating contract with granderson, who is owed a minimum of $25.75M over the next 4 years (or as high as ($36.75M). if they sign damon, they are looking at a one year deal (at least i’ve been told that they wont go over on year and thats why damon hasnt signed) and maybe $5 or less.
I just googled Bohling out of curiousity.
He’s been with the Yankees since 2005 and prior to that was Director of Performance at IMG Academies (of Bollettieri Tennis fame) and also did some work with some Jaguar players at Tom Couglin’s request when he coached there.
An old article said the Yankees wouldn’t allow him to give interviews. I can understand them not wanting him to get into specifics but he would be interesting to hear from even if just in generalities.
Grilled octopus is really good. Delicious.
Charred on the outside.
A little vinegar…some lemon.
The Greeks do it the best.
trisha – OPPC forever – (new lucky picture from last day at the old Stadium) BRING ON THE GHOSTS!
February 9th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
OT to Boddy –
This is a serious post. One of the most difficult things to do, for me anyway, is to live in the present. I work at it – which is why I never count down the days to pitchers and catchers, etc. – but commercial America has a way of propelling people through life! (When I was growing up, you never saw Christmas decorations in a store until Thanksgiving had passed. Need I say more?) Will reading the disciplines you mentioned help with that?
I don’t think that the majority of sportfigures are that introspective/have the time or inclination to really deal with the mental aspect of the game, so for those who are more like the Boomer Wellses of the sport, maybe a sports psychologist when need be.
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It’s really interesting to meet people who don’t hail from the States or even Europe. I completely agree with you about commercial America, but that’s a subject whose scope wouldn’t work in this space.
I think Rivera is very much like some people I’ve met from non-western parts of the world – he meets your gaze directly, is kind and in the present, but still stands strongly on his own two feet.
His confidence isn’t the bluff variety, he just knows who he is and knows who everyone else is. So he doesn’t “handle” people, he just understands intuitively the art of being. Really, I know I’ve said this many times before, but Mariano Rivera is a remarkable human being, and I’m not talking about his talents as the greatest relief pitcher in baseball history.
Its’ strange to say, but in summary, knowing the art of being means you take your time in the world. You don’t allow yourself to be rushed by anyone and you don’t attempt to rush anyone else.
American television, with its play upon people’s fear of death and it’s “propelling”, as you say, everyone to rush headlong and buy something quick which they don’t even really need, is all part of the gimmick to keep people from knowing themselves. (Because then they would discover they don’t need what’s being pushed on them
).
Alexander and Feldenkrais are techniques for gaining kinesthetic awareness, they offer & require no belief systems, no internal “pep” talks or “visualizations”, but by practicing them, self-awareness happens on a lot of unforseen levels.
champ/oscar
thanks for clarifying, that was my question as well.
Champ, I do. I’m glad they felt that way as I think Granderson is going to be terrific for us.
matching the kind of temperament a player has withe the game he plays is important too. pinella told once about reggie could go 0-20 swinging for the fences and sleep well and still put good sings on the ball. pinella said he needed to get a hit a day or he didn’t sleep well at night.
so pinella used a swing that would give him a hit a day.
gardner is one who could use some mental help .
he doesn’t trust himself stealing and seems afraid to fail, so he just stays on first when everyone knows he’s in there to steal.
time to go work on my own mental game. on in two on a long par four yesterday ,6 feet from the hole- four putted
“It sounds like the RSox are scared they won’t re-sign Beckett or someone else may be interested.”
Getting an early start on this one aren’t they? The best thing I read so far (don’t remember where) was that they plan to use the Roy Halladay extension (minus $6M-$8M??) as the comp for Beckett’s new contract as opposed to Lackey’s 5yr/80M. That same source also sought to create leverage by talking up their other options. Like most people, I see the Yankees aggressively going after Cliff Lee, making it more important for Boston to retain Beckett. The rotations appear pretty even this year, but if it becomes CC, Lee, A.J. vs. Lester, Lackey, and Dice-K… I think the early pressure BOS is applying to this situation underscores how important it is to them.
Bodhisattva – Destiny Wears Pinstripes
February 9th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
An athlete would be served better to study disciplines like the Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method.
These teach an acute self-awareness of self-use, which requires the person learning remain in the present. That’s often the crux of the trouble right there – just staying present.
This way, you eliminate the need for a guru. The guru becomes you, and you become self-possessed.
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If the player fails to improve himself mentally, does he become repossessed?
Chad-
Might find this article interesting on how John Smoltz was helped. For a while the sports psychologist sat behind home plate where Smoltz could focus on him before pitches. Any edge in baseball is worth the investment, unless it’s PEDs.
http://news.google.com/newspap.....68,1640528
Erin,
Sorry i couldnt get back to your post yesterday. It was a busy day at work.
4 things that went wrong.
Missed catch from Garcon
Peyton couldnt milk the clock out at half resultin in 3 points for the Saints.(still think they should have went with the 2 minute offense.
Onside kick
Missed field goal in the third.
One team played with houses money, while the other played not to lose. Still feeling sick to my stomach and shell shocked today.
My Longhorns lose Colt in the first drive of the championship game and the Colts lose Freeney and Wayne this game. BTW, the interception for a touchdown was Wayne not running the route crisp. It should have been at the very least an incomplete pass. His knee was obviously hurting him. Lets hope this isnt the last time i see the Colts in the Super Bowl ala Marino(my favorite player growing up).
Heads up to anyone in NYC/LI area who didn’t know-
Its going to snow tomorrow!!!!!
NYC schools already announced they are closing
Many LI school districts already announced closures
Erin
February 9th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Betsy -Romine wasn’t built in a day
February 9th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
Erin, for some dumb reason, Red Wings fans throw octupii on the ice (I guess at the end of wins?)……I’ve no idea how it starte, but either way it’s gross. I refuse to eat octopus or calamari – blech.
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Thanks Betsy! I don’t follow hockey at all, so I had never heard that before. That’s really gross.
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The Detroit tradition of throwing an octopus on the ice started back in the early ’59s, 1952 , I believe. A couple of brothers who owned a Detroit fish market and at the end of the first game of the Stanley Cup finals Detroit pulled off a win. They went on to sweep the Finals. The playoffs took eight games to win it all in those days. someone decided since it took 8 games to win and an octopus had 8 tentacles, it had to be good luck.
If the player fails to improve himself mentally, does he become repossessed?
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There’s no goal through these disciplines to improve mentally.
At the heart of it, although this is over-simplifying – you learn kinesthetically to accomplish physical tasks with less “effort.” You do it by becoming aware of, say, some muscular tension that makes you, for whatever reason, grip the bat too tightly, or you hold your right shoulder in a way that doesn’t really help you balance well, etc. There’s no “psychology” involved.
botsatvatta- thank you for enlightening us with your non-western self awareness and telling us the error in our western ways. im sure where you come from everyone is self aware and there is plenty of food and good jobs for everyone and there is no religious , racial or tribal intolerance and everybody lives in peace and harmony because the look each other in the eyes.
i so wish i didnt live in this horrible place. please take me home with you.
oscar,
You are very welcome, I’m sure.
I suppose I’m odd but sometimes it is just a matter of relaxation and having fun. I know we’re talking big money pro but still. Guys tend to put to much pressure on themselves to succeed when in reality they have in a full 9 inning game 27 outs to win with their bats. I have never felt like anyone man in anyone at bat loses a ball game. That one man though by using the last possible out to win the game can be what is it clutch. Games sometimes are won and lost in the first at bat of a game. Occasionally a guy is just due to perform and or not.
Betsy
I’m curious, have you been following the mini reports on the Yankees prospects on pinstripesplus.com?
Are you a subsciber?
If not you should consider it as it’s not expensive and provides the most in depth review of the farm system soup to nuts. Great interviews with Mark Newman and Nardi Contreras and other player development guys in the org.
The 2010 prospect guide should be out in the next couple of weeks.
Good stuff for any and all that have an interest in the farm system of your fav team, in our case THE YANKS!, as it’s run by scout.com and gives coverage and analysis all the way down to the draft and international FA signings as well as the top high school talent that the teams are scouting and following as potential picks in the upcoming drafts.
My prospect guide came today and looks much more in depth with info about draft etc. Have not had a chance to look through it.
The site is great.
five iron,
BA?
Willy Tavares has been released by Oakland. I wouldn’t be shocked if NYY signs him to a minor league deal, much like they did with Freddie Guzman. Decent outfielder and can bunt and run like the wind. Use him at Scranton. I’d also look to see if there isn’t a deal to move Hoffmann in a trade sometine during ST. At that time, if he’s traded, it’s up to that team to make a spot for him on the 25 man roster.
S.o.S.(COLTS = 90′S braves)
February 9th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Erin,
Sorry i couldnt get back to your post yesterday. It was a busy day at work.
4 things that went wrong.
Missed catch from Garcon
Peyton couldnt milk the clock out at half resultin in 3 points for the Saints.(still think they should have went with the 2 minute offense.
Onside kick
Missed field goal in the third.
One team played with houses money, while the other played not to lose. Still feeling sick to my stomach and shell shocked today.
My Longhorns lose Colt in the first drive of the championship game and the Colts lose Freeney and Wayne this game. BTW, the interception for a touchdown was Wayne not running the route crisp. It should have been at the very least an incomplete pass. His knee was obviously hurting him. Lets hope this isnt the last time i see the Colts in the Super Bowl ala Marino(my favorite player growing up).
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Hi s.o.s! I totally agree with your list. I don’t think they knew what hit them with that onside kick-in fact right after that, my brother turned to me and said “I have a bad feeling about the rest of this game”. lol
Oh well. There’s always next year right?
Bod – Pinstripesplus.
GreenBeret7
February 9th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
The Detroit tradition of throwing an octopus on the ice started back in the early ’59s, 1952 , I believe. A couple of brothers who owned a Detroit fish market and at the end of the first game of the Stanley Cup finals Detroit pulled off a win. They went on to sweep the Finals. The playoffs took eight games to win it all in those days. someone decided since it took 8 games to win and an octopus had 8 tentacles, it had to be good luck.
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Thanks, GB! Have you ever tried octopus???
Erin, I haven’t run across more than 1 or 2 octopii during my time in the desert or swamps. The first time I see another one, though, I’ll fire up the Zippo and get out the A-1 Steak Sauce.
GreenBeret7
February 9th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Erin, I haven’t run across more than 1 or 2 octopii during my time in the desert or swamps. The first time I see another one, though, I’ll fire up the Zippo and get out the A-1 Steak Sauce.
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LMAO. Well, if you ever do, you’ll have to let me know how it is.
New Post: Curtis Granderson: Still a good guy
As soon as I’m done barfing, Erin, I will. I don’t like seafood of any type. If I’m absolutely starving, I’ll eat a freshwater fish, but, somebody has to hold a gun on me.
five iron from fenway
February 9th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Bod – Pinstripesplus.
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Ah. Don’t get that in hard copy. Just read the site online.
GreenBeret7
February 9th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Do you think they will trade Hoffmann? I kinda thought he would be playing LF in 2010 for NYY. What do you think?
GB
I think the Yanks genuinely want to take a good look at Hoffman. The word is that he has good tools and a hard nosed approach to playing the game. Bowa thinks that he is on the verge of being a Erstad/Trot Nixon type of player. he actually said Hoffman reminds him a lot of Hunter Pence. I wouldn’t be so quick to move that out if I’m the Yanks. The real potential impact OF bats in the system are a 2-3yrs away and I’ve got a feeling that if Swish has another year like he had last yr Cash is gonna sell high on him and look to move his contract so RF may be open.