Before stepping onto the mound for his long-awaited return, New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole takes a moment to himself. Surrounded by the electric buzz of Yankee Stadium, he crouches behind the mound. This ritual has become a vital part of his preparation.
“You’re stepping into the ring,” Cole said. “You’ve controlled everything until that point. Then, within seconds, you lose control.” It’s a moment of calm before the storm, especially as he gears up to face the Tampa Bay Rays in a pivotal game for the Yankees.
After 15 months of recovery from Tommy John surgery, Friday marks the start of a new chapter for Cole. This isn’t just a game; it’s a return to his craft. His routine includes experimenting with pitch grips and adjusting his delivery, but that crouch behind the mound is non-negotiable.
Sometimes, it helps him gather his thoughts. Other times, it’s a way to block out the noise. Cole uses these moments to catch his breath and mentally prepare. Once he throws his first pitch, the real challenge begins: maintaining control.
Control is everything for Cole—over his emotions, the pace of the game, and the unpredictable nature of baseball. “I’m just preparing for that,” he said, knowing how crucial it is to stay grounded.
His journey to mastering this mental side began in college at UCLA. There, he met the late Dr. Ken Ravizza, a sports psychology pioneer. Ravizza taught Cole that true performance isn’t about perfection but about knowing how to adapt. “You must be in control of yourself before you can control your performance,” the book “Heads-Up Baseball” emphasizes.
Cole’s physical talent was evident even as a freshman. Yet, as his former coach John Savage noted, he needed to focus on the emotional and mental aspects of the game. “The mental game is crucial—how to deal with challenges on and off the field,” Savage explained.
In his six years with the Yankees, Cole has experienced his share of ups and downs. His body language often reveals how he feels. But he understands that the more he controls his reactions, the better his chances of success. He has developed rituals, like rubbing the baseball or cleaning his cleats, to help regain focus.
Other athletes share similar strategies. For example, star players on the Yankees have their own ways of resetting during games. Aaron Judge throws dirt from home plate to let go of a disappointing moment. Giancarlo Stanton insists on digging in with precision every time he steps up to bat.
Longtime Cy Young Award winner Orel Hershiser used to break down his thought process into stages—thinking about the broader game before honing in on each pitch. In a similar vein, Max Fried calms his mind before an inning by wiping the dirt near the rubber.
“For elite athletes, finding ways to regain control is critical,” Cole pointed out.
Outside baseball, Cole exhibits this focus. In conversations, he listens earnestly. On the practice field, he strives for precision with every throw. Even when the Yankees faced postseason disappointment last October, Cole stayed resilient, practicing in the snow at Yankee Stadium.
“It’s not about waiting for chaos to set in,” he commented. “It’s about having a steady focus regardless of the situation.”
This approach is not just valuable in sports but also in life. Cole believes that maintaining focus during both easy and tough moments creates a foundation for stronger performances. It helps him stay collected when facing high-pressure situations in games.
As Cole prepares for his first major league outing in 569 days, he feels a mix of confidence and acknowledgment of the work ahead. “I missed it quite a bit,” he shared. “This is the right moment to take the next step.”
So, as he crouches behind the mound one last time, he cherishes these moments of control before the fight for mastery begins anew, ready to showcase his skills on the grand stage.
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New York Yankees, MLB, Peak
