Rising up within the suburbs of Fort Price, Texas, a teenage Trent Grisham gravitated towards the world of sports activities psychology.
The Yankees’ middle fielder hasn’t talked about that a lot all through his seven seasons within the large leagues – Grisham will not be baseball’s chattiest participant – however the Richland Excessive Faculty product’s curiosity piqued round age 17. On the time, movies of motivational audio system and clips centered on psychological fortitude turned a daily a part of his life.
Grisham stated he’s at all times felt that expertise is “finite.” Don’t get him flawed: having it helps. However he says the true separator between the great and greats is how they suppose.
“I bought into that as a young player and person,” Grisham stated, “and that’s kind of what I’ve gotten back to lately.”
These days, Grisham has performed like one in all baseball’s finest. It’s no coincidence that he’s doing so after reawakening his cerebral facet.
After hitting two game-tying, solo homers within the Yankees’ 11-5 win over the Mariners on Monday, the approaching free agent is now batting .288 with a 1.036 OPS, 12 dingers, 22 RBI and a 190 wRC+. He’s homering practically each 12 at-bats, all of the whereas offering Gold Glove-caliber protection.
Initially seen as a throw-in to the Juan Soto commerce, Grisham acquired little fanfare all through his first season within the Bronx. His reserved persona had one thing to do with that – he certainly didn’t thoughts the shortage of a highlight – however so did the truth that the Yankees barely used him.
Now Grisham is outperforming Soto, who signed a record-setting cope with the Mets over the winter. He seems to be like a very completely different participant than the one who rode the Bombers’ bench in 2024 and hit under The Mendoza Line for the Padres from 2022-2023.
On the very least, Grisham will not be considering like that man anymore.
“I was thinking like crap for a few years and playing like crap,” he admitted.
Requested precisely what he meant by that, Grisham saved it quick in trademark trend.
“It means thinking poorly,” he replied with fun. “Like, ‘Woe is me,’ feeling sorry for yourself, that kind of stuff.”
Whereas Grisham didn’t reveal many specifics, he stated that his mindset turned a precedence once more two offseasons in the past. He’s since enlisted the assistance of Chad Bohling, the Yankees’ senior director of organizational efficiency, and Dr. Bob Rotella, a sports activities psychologist. Rotella is understood for his work with golfers and acquired a justifiable share of credit score for Rory McIlroy’s current Masters win.
Grisham’s spouse, Megan, can be a psychological well being therapist, however he tries to keep away from taking his work dwelling with him.
With Bohling and Rotella, Grisham’s classes characteristic movies, in addition to conversations centered on what he’s considering and what he cares about. Final yr, that included chats about his restricted taking part in time, as he solely appeared in 76 video games regardless of being a full-time starter in San Diego.
Now Grisham is taking part in nearly day-after-day, and he’s placing up the stats of a star with none of the pizazz. Constant at-bats are making a distinction, however so are more healthy ideas.
“The mental game he’s playing is very strong,” Aaron Boone stated.
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Born Trent Clark, Grisham took the final identify of his mom, Michelle, in 2017 as a tribute after she raised him.
This season, Grisham has passed by “Trent Tanks,” particularly when the 28-year-old goes deep. Nevertheless, Yankees teammate Marcus Stroman has a special nickname for Grisham.
“The Black Cowboy, we call him,” the injured pitcher stated in early April.
Which will simply be Stroman’s label, as a number of different Yankees have been unaware. They definitely understood it given Grisham’s wardrobe, although.
“Freakin’ cowboy boots and his starch jeans, that’s always been him,” stated Devin Williams, who first performed with Grisham within the Brewers’ system. “I haven’t called him that, but he’s definitely a country guy.”
Grisham’s demeanor additionally performs into the moniker, as Stroman stated the mustachioed outfielder is at all times “calm” and “chill.”
Followers might have gotten that impression from Grisham’s postgame scrums, as they’re usually fast, particularly when his accomplishments are the topic. And earlier than video games, the offseason golfer would slightly work on his placing or droop on a sofa than get caught up in dialog.
“Trent doesn’t say nothing unless he’s got something important to say,” stated Tim Hill, a teammate in San Diego and New York. “But Trent’s good people. He’s an old soul.”
Added Aaron Choose: “He’s a quiet leader. He may not be the guy that’s vocal or doing a lot of certain things, but he speaks up when he needs to. He also leads by example.”
Choose additionally stated that Grisham is a superb card participant – Texas Maintain’em is of course his sport of selection – however even that’s one thing the latter gained’t dive into.
“I don’t like talking about it, because that’s when the luck dries up,” Grisham stated, sharing a philosophy that seemingly applies to his on-field exploits.
Whereas a number of Yankees talked about Grisham’s muted nature, he pushed again in opposition to his soft-spoken rep. However he additionally couldn’t present a greater description.
“Self-evaluation is very hard,” Grisham famous with a smile.
Boone pegged Grisham as “mild-mannered and low-key.” However the Eagles-supporting supervisor – who will get a lot of “fodder” from the Cowboys brand on Grisham’s glove – additionally finds the veteran to be supply of humor and dialog.
“I really enjoy him,” Boone stated. “He’s been one of my favorites.”
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When difficult performs make their method to Grisham in middle, Boone will inform Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus, “Don’t panic.”
Boone is at all times kidding when he says this, as Grisham by no means panics.
“[He’s] one of the slowest heartbeat guys I’ve ever been around, in a great way,” Boone stated.
Simpler performs spark a louder remark from the skipper.
“Every time a flyball goes out to center field, and he’s just kind of cruising to it, camping under it,” Boone stated, “I scream out as it’s coming down, ‘BOR-ING!’”
It’s an apt abstract of Grisham’s sport.
Whereas he’ll sometimes play with some panache – he just lately flipped his bat to himself on a game-tying, pinch-hit homer in opposition to the Padres – Grisham agrees that he’s removed from flashy.
Trent Grisham’s bat flip final night time was top-of-the-line you’ll see all season.pic.twitter.com/i9ED3BB0mR
He’s undecided how he obtained to be that manner, as he stated his youthful brother, Tate, is “the exact opposite,” a lover of consideration who “beats to his own drum.” Grisham has additionally performed with some colourful characters through the years – together with Soto, Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jazz Chisholm Jr. – however their model hasn’t rubbed off on him, and he’s at all times flown beneath the radar.
“I get the sense that he just doesn’t really care,” Williams stated. “He’s here to play baseball, and he’s happy with that.”
Humorous sufficient, Grisham stated that he’s “always loved” watching “old school” Yankees teammate DJ LeMahieu, whose knack for saying so little is well-documented. Grisham didn’t know LeMahieu effectively earlier than turning into coworkers, however he admired his all-business strategy from afar.
“I guess we’re both kind of laid back a little bit. I respect Grish a lot,” stated LeMahieu, whose Yankee Stadium locker is correct subsequent to his equally silent teammate’s.
LeMahieu added that final season “wasn’t the easiest” for Grisham, and Boone stated that he did the two-time Gold Glover a “disservice” by not taking part in him extra.
Nevertheless, Grisham didn’t speak to Boone about wanting extra taking part in time this season, and he didn’t make a fuss over his rare alternatives final yr.
“That could rub somebody the wrong way,” Choose stated. “But we never saw it as teammates. He never treated us any different. He never acted different here in the clubhouse or on the field. When he got his name called, he was out there ready to go. And when he didn’t, he was right there on the bench, all nine innings, ready to go.”
This yr, Grisham has heard his identify known as continually.
Whereas the Yankees’ cluttered outfield has led to extra off days than a typical starter may obtain, his bat has made him a daily presence. That hasn’t been the case for Grisham lately, however the membership believes his manufacturing is sustainable.
So does he, as long as he continues to suppose in a constructive method. Grisham stated doing so is “a constant battle,” however he feels extra ready for that combat than he has in years previous.
“You’re gonna have a bad thought,” Grisham stated. “You’re a human being. When you have bad thoughts, it’s not about the first thought. It’s about the second thought: What am I doing to respond to that?”
