April 22, 2023

By Devon Teeple

The GM’s Perspective

Thanks for tuning into Wellness Wednesday!

Today, we’ll be discussing the inspiring stories of Austin Meadows, an outfielder for the Detroit Tigers, and Daniel Bard, the current closer for the Colorado Rockies, who have both bravely confronted their mental health struggles and highlighted the importance of taking the necessary focus on their health.

Road to Recovery: Austin Meadows

Austin Meadows faced a challenging 2022 season, missing all but 36 games due to an inner ear infection, vertigo, COVID-19, and lingering soreness in both Achilles tendons. He revealed that mental health struggles also contributed to his extended time away from the game. Meadows went on the 10-day injured list a short time ago due to anxiety. The Tigers have shown their full support for Meadows, placing him on the injured list to prioritize his mental health. Undoubtedly, the club and senior leadership, spearheaded by general manager Scott Harris, have taken strides to provide mental health resources and reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues. Meadows recently returned to the Tigers and participated in on-field workouts, showcasing his commitment to both his physical and mental recovery.

The Power of Speaking Up: Daniel Bard

In our previous Wellness Wednesday, we celebrated the courage of Daniel Bard, who openly shared his struggles with anxiety. Despite facing criticism from fans and the public, Bard demonstrated immense bravery in confronting and addressing his mental health challenges. Bard’s story has contributed to normalizing discussions around mental health in professional sports. I’m very happy to share that the Rockies have just reinstated Bard from the injured list, marking another step forward in his journey.

Strength in Supportive Organizations

In Austin Meadows’ case, the Detroit Tigers’ decision to prioritize his mental health and place him on the injured list is commendable. By doing so, they demonstrated that they understand the importance of mental health in their athletes’ overall well-being. The organization’s provision of mental health resources is another example of how supportive organizations can make a difference in their employees’ lives.

Similarly, Daniel Bard’s openness about his struggles with anxiety and the Rockies’ support of his journey is admirable. Bard’s story continues to break down the stigma surrounding mental health in professional sports, and his team’s support of his mental health shows how supportive organizations can create a positive environment for their employees.

The stories of Austin Meadows and Daniel Bard illustrate the importance of supporting employees with mental health issues in any industry, including sports. Mental health challenges can have a significant impact on an individual’s well-being, and it can be overwhelming to manage alone.

I really want to make it known that when an organization takes the initiative to provide support and resources for employees, it can make a significant difference in their recovery.