‘It keeps us healthy’: How one Indiana baseball player finds refuge in music
For baseball players worldwide, mental stability is as important as physical strength. A player may have the arm talent of Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, bat-to-ball skills like San Diego Padres infielder Luis Arraez or raw power like New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, but a cloudy head renders those tools useless.
Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra famously said, “Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.”
Every player has a different escape from the diamond, and Indiana sophomore outfielder Andrew Wiggins finds his refuge in music. The Indianapolis native sings and plays three different types of saxophone in addition to the piano, ukulele and bass guitar.
“When guys get to campus, the first thing I tell them is, ‘You need to find a hobby,’” Indiana head coach Jeff Mercer said. “So you can get away from baseball and clear your mind.”