Harrison Bader enters his 10th\u00a0MLB season with a new team: the Giants.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old outfielder\u00a0explained to NBC Sports Bay Area\u2019s Alex Pavlovic that he\u00a0credits his mindset for allowing him to reach\u00a0the major\u00a0leagues\u00a0and remain consistent.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Staying present and enjoying the moment is the key function of Bader\u2019s outlook.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest thing is just playing where your feet are,\u201d Bader said. \u201cI think baseball players are trained so intensely to\u00a0focus in\u00a0on\u00a0whatever\u2019s\u00a0directly in front of us.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the guys who can use past experiences, kind of as like a rear-view mirror if you will, to learn from them and then adapt and adjust for the current moment, I think will allow you to have a nice blend of reminding yourself where you came from and how challenging it was to come here, but also be reassured that you do have a lot left in front of you.\u00a0And\u00a0I think we\u00a0lose that if we look too far ahead.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finding oneself in the present moment is easier said than done.\u00a0But Bader explains that reminding himself of his path to the present, as well as the near future, helps provide that self-assurance\u00a0in any given moment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bader suggests\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0important for young players to stay grounded in their journey to the\u00a0majors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re a young player that\u2019s trying to work your way through the minor leagues; if you\u2019re a young player who doesn\u2019t know what school to go to — I think at the end of the day baseball is so connected that you will end up in the major leagues if you belong in the major leagues,\u201d Bader explained. \u201cBut\u00a0in order for\u00a0you to get there, you\u00a0have to\u00a0remain present.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Clearly, the\u00a0path towards reaching the professional level is laced with challenges.\u00a0Keeping that in mind helps Bader enjoy every single moment as\u00a0it\u00a0happens.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI just know how hard it was to get here, and furthermore, I know how hard it is to stay here,\u201d Bader said. \u201cAnd even further than that, I know how hard it is to have success here on a continued and sustained level.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, I think just using and reminding yourself of how fortunate you are, I think, allows you to take the present moment for what it is, which is a beautiful and just awesome thing to experience.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As he begins a new chapter of his career with the Giants, he surely will look to continue\u00a0positioning himself in the present moment. While he aims to enjoy it in any way it manifests, he\u00a0clearly wants it to be enjoyable for his team, and Giants fans, alike.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, I try to stay in that little dome, if you will, and just keep chugging along and\u00a0rack\u00a0up as many wins, and hopefully a ring, as possible,\u201d Bader said.\u00a0<\/p>\n