Introduction to Colson Montgomery’s Journey
Colson Montgomery’s bat put him in the picture as the White Sox’ shortstop of the future. He knows his head just as easily could wipe him out of it. Staying outside that dome has led to a productive first few days in the big leagues for the prized rookie out of Holland, Indiana — and he’s not planning on spiraling back into bad thoughts anytime soon.
Mastering the Mental Game
“I’ve learned a lot more mentally than physically, to be honest,” Montgomery said Monday ahead of an 8-4 loss to the Blue Jays in his first game at Rate Field, which is a long way from the Arizona training complex where the Sox sent him early this season after he failed to crack the Opening Day roster and struggled mightily in Triple-A. Montgomery said he “tried out pretty much everything that you can think of” alongside Sox hitting director Ryan Fuller, who whipped out the Sox’ full analytical bag of high-tech swing cameras, force monitors and other saber-metric doodads in the desert.
The Real Work: Mental Preparation
But the real work was going on inside Montgomery’s helmet. “We did a lot of stuff, more mentally preparing than physically, because this game — everybody talks about it physically, but we know how much it can really damage somebody mentally,” Montgomery said. “If you can accept that you’re not going to have success every single time, it’s a little bit easier when you don’t have success. . . . It’s the same game, and I’m excited and having so much fun up here.”
Impressive Debut
Montgomery sure has looked as though he’s having a ball since making his major-league debut Friday night in Colorado. All he did in his first big-league series was grab national attention with a diving, over-the-shoulder catch and go 5-for-10 with a triple and two RBI — “definitely a confidence gainer,” he said. “You can kind of relax a little bit now and know that you belong here,” he said. “But we all know this game. It’s crazy. A lot can change. You just kind of stay even-keeled.”
First Game at Rate Field
Donning the Sox’ white pinstripes for the first time Monday, Montgomery worked a two-out walk against Blue Jays starter and perennial Sox killer Jose Berrios (5-3) in the second inning to hearty applause from 13,292 fans cheering his first trip to the South Side batter’s box. Later, he made a diving stop to keep a hot grounder from Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk in the infield, again flashing the leather that’s easy to forget behind his bat.
Performance and Support
In front of a crowd that included many familiar faces from his hometown five hours southeast, Montgomery finished 0-for-3 with a strikeout and a run scored after reaching base on a throwing error in the seventh. “You work pretty much your whole life for that opportunity, and then once [the announcer] said my name and I got in the box and heard the fans cheer, it was pretty special,” Montgomery said afterward. He struck out looking with two men on in the eighth. But his lanky 6-3 frame finally making it to the show is a sight for sore eyes for the Sox’ front office, which seeks a superstar to be the face of the franchise.
The Road Ahead
“There was just never a doubt in their mind with the White Sox just believing in me,” Montgomery said. “I’ve had a great support staff with my family and with the coaches. Every single day, they tell me I belong there.” Not that the Sox have other options. Montgomery’s development is the top priority as general manager Chris Getz’s rebuild wobbles toward a third straight 100-loss season. Getz recalled talking to Montgomery when he “was really struggling” to get out of his head. “[I said], ‘You’re going to figure this out. You just can’t quit,’ ” Getz said. “And he goes, ‘I’m not going to quit.’ And he didn’t. “We believe in the player. We believe in the person. Most importantly, he deserves the credit. But it’s a big deal for this organization.” No pressure, rook. “You just keep stacking days and just find the little wins,” Montgomery said.
Conclusion
Colson Montgomery’s journey to mastering the mental game is a testament to his dedication and perseverance. Despite facing challenges, he has shown remarkable resilience and a strong support system. As he continues to grow and develop as a player, it will be exciting to see how he navigates the pressures of the big leagues.
FAQs
- Q: Who is Colson Montgomery?
A: Colson Montgomery is a shortstop for the White Sox and a prized rookie from Holland, Indiana. - Q: What has Montgomery been working on?
A: Montgomery has been working on his mental game, trying to stay focused and avoid negative thoughts. - Q: What was Montgomery’s first game at Rate Field like?
A: Montgomery worked a two-out walk and made a diving stop in his first game at Rate Field, finishing 0-for-3 with a strikeout and a run scored. - Q: What does the future hold for Montgomery?
A: Montgomery’s development is a top priority for the White Sox, and he is expected to continue growing and improving as a player.
