“All Rise” to the Occasion, or Choke?

It’s time to change the angle from yelling at players on TV when they swing at a ball to what the impacts on mental health are for those in the spotlight.

Athletics on the go as students viewed the World Series all across campus. Photo by Amanda Gorrin '28

The thrill of the East Coast’s Yankees and the West Coast’s Dodgers battling it out had fans at the edge of their seats in this most recent World Series. But it’s time to change the angle from yelling at players on TV when they swing at a ball to what the impacts are on the mental health of those in the spotlight.

Players from both teams have been thrust into the media's attention for their individual trials and tribulations. Shohei Ohtani, the Golden Boy of the Los Angeles Dodgers, received a lot of media attention after his shoulder injury in the bottom of the 7th of Game 2. Fans were worried that Ohtani would be out for the remainder of the series until the Dodgers shocked the world by announcing he would be able to continue in Game 3. 

While some L.A. fans were happy to find out that one of their star players would remain on the roster, others were confused as to whether this was the right call regarding his long-term physical health. With so much at stake, many believed that Ohtani was pressured to continue in the series to keep up with viewership. While Ohtani’s presence in the series was significant, it does not seem like the decision to keep him in the series was wise, as physical and mental health should be prioritized for long-term success as a baseball player.

Los Angeles’ Freddie Freeman, whose son was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome at the beginning of the season, seemed to be playing for his child. It is difficult to imagine the insurmountable amount of pressure to be involved in such an important game while knowing you have a sick child. Freeman must have used his son as motivation to play as well as he could, making World Series history with the first ever walk-off grand slam at the end of Game 1.

In terms of the East Coasters, 23-year-old Anthony Volpe had a tremendous amount of pressure on his back as a young player on the World Series field. A photo displaying Volpe at the 2009 World Series parade resurfaced, creating a cathartic, full-circle moment for the Yankee. 

Volpe did not seem to let the pressure get to his head, as his Grand Slam in Game 4 kept the Yankees in the series for one more game. This career high for the young player may have boosted his overall mindset within the game and motivated him to continue to play at the level he proved he can succeed at. 

Jasson Domínguez, a 21-year-old Yankee, made his debut as a pinch runner in the series. He was one of the youngest players in the games. Making a World Series debut at such a young age amongst older, more experienced players could not have been easy. However, prior to the series, fans could see just how excited and honored Domínguez was to take on this challenge, when he was interviewed about his reaction to making it to the World Series. Such an attitude may have helped his mental being, as the excitement he possessed could have outweighed his nerves.

In the long run, can the pressure that comes out of the game be viewed as positive or negative? In some cases, pressure can be used as motivation to succeed and to continue to improve. In other scenarios, pressure can have the opposite effect on the players, with constant criticism from media outlets, social media and fans alike highlighting the lows of the game, as opposed to the highs. 

Media outlets from the Bronx Bombers mock players like Nestor Cortes, who pitched in Game 1 after a month-long hiatus. Fans and outlets also blame Aaron Judge for the Yankees' downfall with his fumble of an easy pop-fly in the infamous 5th inning of Game 5. 

Could media praise have influenced the players' performance? Encouragement could have played a big role in the stamina of both teams, as the praise that the Dodgers received could have kept them on track to maintain victories. This raises the possibility that the outcome of the series could have been different if the Yankees had received the same amount of positive reinforcement while in the limelight.

The MLB is no stranger to the players in terms of mental health support, providing 24-hour call lines and free counseling for players who are interested in receiving such assistance. It would be interesting to discover how many of the players took advantage of these services while involved in the biggest game of their careers.

The Dodgers were able to take down the Yankees with a thrilling Game 5 win after the Yankees fumbled a 5-0 lead with critical errors, allowing a massive comeback. In terms of facing pressure, it seems as if the Yankees let the lead get to their head, literally dropping the ball on a possible Game 5 win.