Stress and Anxiety in Baseball

Fangraphs article that nicely frames the ongoing argument about how advanced statistics can depersonalize the sport. Short and I found it compelling.

4 months ago Slow Country 2 comments 0 recs |

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I've argued this before on this website and others. I think I even wrote an article like that for some site.

It’s why I don’t believe in the idea that a player’s success or failure in an at bat is a coin flip based on their true talent, or that players can’t go on hot streaks. My own uncle disproved hot streaks in baseball in some article he wrote for SABR, but all he really did was focus on the idea that they’re not predictive: ie, they’re not a change in talent. I think that things like mental focus, physical focus, and even something as simple as sleep all play a role, which is why although there are ample reasons that one can’t expect how someone will do on any given at bat, or how long a “streak” can last, the idea that a player can’t be on or off on any given at bat seems too unlikely.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Jan 31, 2012 5:05 PM PST reply actions

It is something that baseball and sports in general should (and I think will) look into.

Behavioral health issues are so stigmatized, especially in sports. Players keep their emotional issues hidden because it is seen as “unmanly” and a sign of weakness to express their insecurities and in the end it is usually the player’s performance that suffers. I think you are right, baseball is more complicated than game where you “role” to reach a result, each players psychology, outlook, and confidence plays a nigh immeasurable role in the outcome of the event.

イチロー!

by Slow Country on Jan 31, 2012 10:11 PM PST up reply actions