Mookie Betts, a key player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and three-time World Series champion, shared insights into his mental approach as the postseason begins. Drawing from eight playoff appearances over 11 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB seasons, Betts described how his mindset evolves to cope with the pressure and intensity unique to October baseball.
Maintaining Mental Balance Through a Long MLB Season
The rigors of a 162-game MLB season, often extended by spring training and playoff games, demand a strong and steady mindset from players. Betts emphasized the importance of balancing the high stakes on the field with maintaining calmness off it. This equilibrium is vital for sustaining focus and performance through the season’s marathon length.
Betts discussed how his mental approach changes once the postseason arrives, noting that while high-pressure moments naturally arise, it’s crucial not to amplify those feelings unnecessarily.
Facing the Unique Pressures of October Baseball
As the regular season gives way to the playoffs, Betts pointed out that every game carries added weight because “there is no tomorrow” in postseason play. This intensified pressure creates a feeling that’s difficult to capture in words, blending urgency with uncertainty.
You don’t want to really treat the games that much different [from the regular season]. You don’t want to add extra pressure on yourself because there’s already enough. But there also is that intense feeling that you can’t really explain … I think it’s just the feeling that it could be over. It could be over. When you’re playing throughout the season, there’s always tomorrow. But when you get to the postseason, there is no tomorrow,
Betts said.
It kind of depends on how you view ‘there is no tomorrow.’
Embracing the Pressure and Anxiety in the Moment
Despite the unease that can accompany playoff games, Betts confessed that he grows anxious during intense moments but also deeply values experiencing them fully. He sees these opportunities as rare and significant moments to cherish rather than to manufacture or distort.
I do get a little anxiety with it, but I also do love being in the moment. … You only get so many [opportunities to be in those big moments] and I don’t want to manufacture anything. I just want to live through it and create some memories in it.
Developing a Mature Postseason Mindset Over Time
Betts attributes his current postseason composure to years of experience in high-pressure situations. Each playoff run has helped him cultivate a steadier presence in clutch scenarios, allowing him to focus despite any struggles throughout the regular season. As the Dodgers prepare to make a deep postseason run, Betts will rely on this mental framework to sharpen his focus and help his team navigate October’s challenges.
His approach reflects the complex balance between anxiety and opportunity that defines playoff baseball, underscoring the mental toughness required to perform when the stakes are highest.