He was never depressed from what I've heard. He had social anxiety disorder which made him feel weird as hell with people watching him. I never had anything close to as bad as he did but back in the day I'd feel weird if people I didn't know looked at me. Like I'd leave the room for no reason type of weird feeling... so I can only imagine what this dude was going through with millions watching him.
I got over it once I realized that they were looking at me because I was just a handsome bastard. @)
PS, I know Clip Joint apparently stiffed a bunch of people and whatnot but the dude has one of the funnier baseball quotes on these forums.
After discussing how Greinke had big issues with performing in front of large crowds, Clip Joint posts:
"He plays for the Royals...why would that ever be an issue?"
Funny shit.
After discussing how Greinke had big issues with performing in front of large crowds, Clip Joint posts:
"He plays for the Royals...why would that ever be an issue?"
Funny shit.
He was never depressed from what I've heard. He had social anxiety disorder which made him feel weird as hell with people watching him. I never had anything close to as bad as he did but back in the day I'd feel weird if people I didn't know looked at me. Like I'd leave the room for no reason type of weird feeling... so I can only imagine what this dude was going through with millions watching him.
I got over it once I realized that they were looking at me because I was just a handsome bastard. @)
You heard wrong..
February 22, 2007
Being Zack Greinke
Zack Greinke discusses his depression in an exclusive interview with the Kansas City Star:
So how bad did it get? "I really don't know what it is or what it was," Greinke began. "Depression kind of runs in my family. Supposedly, it goes down through (genetically). But I don't know if that's what I was actually going through.
"The medicine I take is an antidepressant. So (depression) must have something to do with it. That and social anxiety. But I don't think it was a serious case. I mean, I never thought about killing myself.
"It was always, once I got away from baseball, I was fine. So I didn't think about it as (an emotional disorder). I just thought that, at the baseball field, I was unhappy."
That misery reached such depths that Greinke often contemplated quitting baseball while still in the minors. His inability to handle the down time between starts heightened his turmoil and made him yearn to be a hitter or at least a relief pitcher.
"I'd talk to my agent all the time and ask him: 'How can I tell the Royals that I don't want to pitch? That I want to try hitting?,' " said Greinke, who added he knew there was no chance of that happening, which increased his frustration. "I thought that was why I hated baseball. I thought it was because I wanted to hit.
"It would be at least once a month that I'd be crying to myself while I'm going to bed with a bat in my hand, just swinging it. It's stupid. That doesn't happen anymore."
It's better now:"The medicine I take is an antidepressant. So (depression) must have something to do with it. That and social anxiety. But I don't think it was a serious case. I mean, I never thought about killing myself.
"It was always, once I got away from baseball, I was fine. So I didn't think about it as (an emotional disorder). I just thought that, at the baseball field, I was unhappy."
That misery reached such depths that Greinke often contemplated quitting baseball while still in the minors. His inability to handle the down time between starts heightened his turmoil and made him yearn to be a hitter or at least a relief pitcher.
"I'd talk to my agent all the time and ask him: 'How can I tell the Royals that I don't want to pitch? That I want to try hitting?,' " said Greinke, who added he knew there was no chance of that happening, which increased his frustration. "I thought that was why I hated baseball. I thought it was because I wanted to hit.
"It would be at least once a month that I'd be crying to myself while I'm going to bed with a bat in my hand, just swinging it. It's stupid. That doesn't happen anymore."
"But as soon as that was over and they sent me down (officially), I was done talking about it. Now, I'm just playing baseball. Now, I'm just going to the field. It was better after that." Greinke went 4-1 while allowing just 13 earned runs in 48 innings over his last seven starts. That helped Wichita reach the Texas League playoffs, and that success proved a tonic in itself.
He found it hard to believe that he enjoyed baseball so much. He kept wondering if the joy would dissipate. It didn't.
"Usually with me," he said, "a month or even two months before the season is over, I'd be counting days. More than counting days. I'd be begging for it to be over. As soon as the last game was over, I'd be showered and gone.
"Last year, it was like I'd like to stay a little longer."
That's good news. Now, the question is can he make the big league club? Zack reaching his potential would be a huge boost to the Royals.He found it hard to believe that he enjoyed baseball so much. He kept wondering if the joy would dissipate. It didn't.
"Usually with me," he said, "a month or even two months before the season is over, I'd be counting days. More than counting days. I'd be begging for it to be over. As soon as the last game was over, I'd be showered and gone.
"Last year, it was like I'd like to stay a little longer."
Well it ran in his family, so he wasn't sure.. Its a weird thing man, some people think they have it and dont and vice versa.
He has no reason to be depressed now, 6500 walked up and purchased tickets last night just to watch him pitch.. He didn't disappoint..
If he comes here to angel Stadium, I'm definitely going to go.
He has no reason to be depressed now, 6500 walked up and purchased tickets last night just to watch him pitch.. He didn't disappoint..
If he comes here to angel Stadium, I'm definitely going to go.
