Demeanor - 3/10/12

His Demeanor – 3/10/12

Self-diagnosis: the bane of doctors everywhere and a necessary attribute of professional athletes.  While it may cause doctors headaches because each patient is convinced they already know what is wrong with them, sometimes the best thing for a player is to take a step back, survey the situation, and make an adjustment.  A coach can talk to a kid until he’s blue in the face, but until the kid starts to feel what his body does when he doesn’t make a good pitch, it doesn’t matter.  I have heard tons of stories (in other words, it’s happened to me) of coaches going out to a mound because a pitcher can’t throw a strike.  He may have even struck the last batter out, but there are times when a pitcher says, “I’ve lost it, I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.”  I have learned a lot in my career and one of the most important things is how to feel what my body is doing.  I might pull off one pitch, but I felt it.  So, I know what I want to correct in my next pitch, then I take a deep breath, put that thought in the back of my mind, and execute this next pitch just like I dreamed.  That, the art of self-diagnosis, is crucial for most great pitchers.  It means that you will never be out of a situation because with just one adjustment you can get right back into your groove and make the pitch you need to make.  I haven’t thrown off a mound in a long time.  Today was my first bullpen session off a mound.  It felt great.  I made a few pitches that I didn’t like the feel of, but I felt what I did wrong.  So, I took a breath and the next pitch was just like I wanted it.  As I prepare for Spring Training, this technique is crucial.  I’m not in mid-season form, especially considering that I have been rehabbing from my shoulder injury and as a result I have not thrown much since august of last year.  The news is that my arm is feeling great.  It feels better as I warm it up and throw harder.  I threw off the mound with no pain and no throbbing afterwards.  I did my rehab exercises and I’m looking forward to throwing again on Monday.  I never thought I would be in this situation right now given how my arm was feeling only 3 months ago.  I can’t take it easy now that everything is heading in such a good direction. I have to keep doing my exercises, keep practicing correctly, keep working and doing the things I need to do to prepare for a successful season.

Do you ever wish you could live when Jesus lived?  That way you could see what sort of personality came across, what sort of demeanor He lived with.  Did He have a timid demeanor?  Did He display gentleness?  Was He intense?  Was He milquetoast that everyone just treated the way they wanted?  Did He display confidence?  I think we have missed out on a portion of His character.  We have the idea of the Father being powerful as in the scene of Him speaking to Moses at the burning bush or displaying himself in a pillar of fire that protected the Israelites from the pursuing Egyptians as they crossed the Red Sea or when He sent down fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice on Mount Carmel or … But when it comes to Jesus, we see Him as different, as gentle, as cuddly. “Judas had promised to betray Jesus. So he went to the garden with some Roman soldiers and temple police, who had been sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees. They carried torches, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus already knew everything that was going to happen, but he asked, "Who are you looking for?" They answered, "We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth!" Jesus told them, "I am Jesus!" At once they all backed away and fell to the ground.” John 18:3-6. Jesus seems like someone who is confident and bold.  He did not run away when they were searching for Him.  He did not shrink back.  In John 10:18 Jesus says, “No one takes my life from me.  I give it up willingly! I have the power to give it up and the power to receive it back again, just as my Father commanded me to do.”  Do you remember the scene in Gladiator when Maximus reveals his identity to the Emperor who tried to kill him? Commodus: How dare you show your back to me! Slave, you will remove your helmet and tell me your name. Maximus: [removes helmet and turns around to face Commodus] My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next. [Commodus trembles in disbelief]  I feel like that might be the tone of voice and confidence that Jesus might have had when He declared openly that no man had power over Him.  He gave His life willingly.  No one took it from Him.  It gives me chills.  Christ displayed confidence.  He knew who He was.  Likewise, we need to know who we are.  We are sons and daughters of the King of Kings.  That is the type of man I want to be, bold.  I will not judge others because I am a man just like they are, but I will be confident in who my Father is and the knowledge that He is with me.  I don’t want to shrink back from the truth.  I do not want to give in to the temptations that surround me in the lockerroom.  Even when all the other people around me might be living for themselves and the moment, I want to live for Him. And for that purpose, He will be with us.  “So we may say boldly, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?’”  Hebrews 13:6

Twitter: @TrystanMagnuson

http://trystanmagnuson.blogpsot.com

Mini-Camp 1/27/12

Mini-Camp 1/27/12


Mini-Camp - 1/27/12
A couple weeks ago, I traveled to Florida for a few days to participate in a mini-camp for the Blue Jays.  It turned out to be a great experience.  I really enjoyed talking with the trainers in person and showing them the rehab program I was on.  They were very happy with it and really happy with the results so far (shoulder blade winging is gone and my shoulders look symmetrical, which I think is important haha).  We talked about my throwing program and they watched me throw.  It was a really great experience.  They recognized that at this point in time my arm speed is not 100%.  The danger is that pitchers tend to protect our arms by changing our mechanics.  They want me to throw less intensely with my legs and focus on good arm action until my arm speed recovers.  Then we will incorporate legs again when I am able to throw more aggressively with my arm.  It was a great experience and very helpful to have them watch me throw.  I really like watching video or having people make suggestions because I can’t see what I look like from the outside.  We all know the feeling of hearing our voice or seeing ourselves on home movies and thinking, “Do I really sound like that? Do I really look and act that way?”  It is good to have a 3rd person view because it reveals things that we wouldn’t otherwise know was happening.  I watch my video and study my mechanics during the season because it is an effective way to examine my technique.  My arm is feeling better and smoother every throwing session.

This offseason, I have been experiencing quite a bit of anxiety.  I guess to some degree it is understandable.  There is quite a bit in my life that is uncertain.  The range of possibilities of how this next year, or even these next few weeks, will turn out is enormous.  When a pitcher is having trouble with his arm, it is like an eagle having trouble with his eyesight.  Without it, he is inconsequential.  Quickly, a pitcher’s career and future can vaporize.  You hear about pitchers getting injured all the time.  If they don’t recover or even have trouble recovering, they’re going to need a new career.  Sometimes it is frustrating, because I feel stressed out or am feeling anxiety over the whole situation and I know that worrying about the future will not help one ounce.  I don’t understand why I am feeling anxiety, I know that God is in control, and yet I still feel it.  I have had certain times this offseason when my appetite has just vanished, and for those of you who know, usually my appetite is large.  I asked God to take away this anxiety because I know His will is done despite how anyone tries to fight against it.  So, why do I experience anxiety?  I asked God to take away the source of my anxiety.  I asked Him to heal my arm or to break my arm, one of the two.  That way I would know the way things were going to turn out.  Yet, the way things are going to turn out is still uncertain even though I am now back to throwing up to 90 feet or more.  Maybe this anxiety is not to be gotten rid of, but to be trusted through.  Even Christ felt stress as He was preparing to go to the cross.  When things happen in our life that cause anxiety, which will happen, it is an opportunity to display and develop traits like faithfulness, patience, perseverance, trust.  It is when things really matter that real trust is exercised.  The belief that God is with me doesn’t hold much weight when the consequences aren’t substantial.  Maybe it is better for me to not have the burden removed, but to develop the trust through the burden.  Here’s an opportunity to trust Him through a time of anxiety and stress.  To know that He is mine and I am His.  That no matter how it turns out, healthy arm and successful career or not recovering and moving on, He will be with me and I with Him.  That is what I trust in. “And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.” Luke 22:41-44  “Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6

Twitter: @TrystanMagnuson
Blog: trystanmagnuson.blogspot.com

Stretching for Spring - 1/4/12

Stretching for Spring - 1/4/12

Spring training is right around the corner. I'm looking forward to getting to throw something. I catch myself grabbing things and wanting to throw them. I started throwing on Monday. So far, so good. My shoulder is really strong! Now, I just have to get used to throwing again. Along those lines, I would really appreciate any prayers for healing for my shoulder! I have been watching videos of pitchers. I have been watching guys like Nolan Ryan, Justin Verlander, Tim Lincecum, Tim Collins and am convinced that pitching is all about the legs. For a tall guy like me, there is a lot of leverage to be found, if only I can get my body in the right position to apply that leverage. Check out this picture of Nolan Ryan. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yKSo5xPjLpM/S_TXuGSckQI/AAAAAAAAMuQ/GKsMMgwDwfU/s1600/ryan.jpg I don’t use my legs that effectively. I won’t ever be Nolan Ryan, but I can learn from how he, and other great pitchers, do things. That's where flexibility comes in. I need to be flexible in my hips and legs so that I can get into a position to generate momentum and power from my lower half. But, this is tough to do if I am stiff and stand too tall. Just like great athletes in other sports, I have to get into an athletic position and generate power. So, bring on the hip and leg stretches.

I encountered James, a guy standing outside a grocery store, asking for 50 cents for food. How I deal with that situation has come from things God has taught me in the past. When I was in college, we were playing a road series and after dinner a few teammates and I were walking back to the hotel. There was a homeless guy asking for some money. I just ignored him and kept walking. One of the 4 guys I was with stopped and actually talked with the guy. He made fun of me to the entire team saying, “that when I saw the homeless guy, I walked quicker and ran away from him.” The whole situation really hit me hard. It was a serious low. We are called to love the poor and I just kept walking. Since then, living out what He calls me to do has been huge on my heart. I have learned a lot from my brother, and the homeless camps he visited regularly, about what I can do to serve those people when I encounter them. How loving them, not just providing for their needs, is huge. My brother says these people think that no one cares, that society doesn’t like them, that they don’t matter. As I read the bible, and books like “Same Kind Of Different As Me” or “The Hole In Our Gospel”, God has revealed His heart for the needy to me more and more. So, when I encountered James at the grocery store (I have practiced caring about every homeless person I meet, which turns out to be quite a few some times, maybe I look like a sucker, but I’m okay with that), I wanted to show him I care. I want to know his story as well as do more for him than give him the 50 cents he was asking for. It doesn’t do anyone any good if I care for the body, but forget the man. So, as we walked around picking up a few groceries, I got to know James. Deut. 15:7 “If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, in any of the towns of the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand to your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.” 1 Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent love for one another”

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Getting Better - 11/21/11

Rehab is going really well.  The clinic takes measurements of the range of motion in my shoulder.  The results of the measurements are improving session by session.  I am very happy with the progress. I recently got to spend time with Dr. Kibler and had a chance to ask him some questions while getting a full evaluation.  I have learned a lot about the relationships that muscles have with one another.  Dr. Kibler gave me a layout of my deficiencies.  Although I can lift a lot of weight, the muscles that control the stability of my joints, and consequently my overall functional strength, are weak.  My hips are tight and weak.  My lower back is tight.  The muscles holding my shoulder blade (scapula) in the correct position are weak, allowing my shoulder to slump forward.  My right pectoralis is tight, pulling my shoulder forward.  All of this causes my shoulder to be in an unhealthy position, thereby putting stress on my shoulder when I throw.  I want my hips, back and scapular muscles to be taking the punishment from throwing, not the small muscles and connective tissues in my shoulder.  In order to get my shoulder healthy, and hopefully even better than before, I must get these muscle groups sorted out.  Once I have my shoulder in the healthy position, it will heal and get strong.  If you look at pitchers you can see how this weakness is evident.  In a lot of pitchers, you will see their shoulders slumping forward, which is a direct symptom of tightness in the front and weakness in the back.  I was told every time I walk through a door I must pinch my shoulder blades down and back.  This is the correct and strong position for my shoulders to be in.  So, in effect I need to walk as though I am standing at attention in front of a superior officer.  This will strengthen those muscles controlling the scapula, put my shoulder in the correct position, and train those muscles to take responsibility for my shoulder so that my ligaments don’t have to.  I have met quite a few athletes while training at UofL.  I have met an athlete training for the Olympics.  I have met an athlete training for the MLS (Major League Soccer).  The common theme that I have come across is how important the small things are.  Even that tiny muscle that controls the scapula has a huge impact.  I have to take care of the small things as well as the big things.

Until now, I haven’t prayed about the healing of my shoulder.  I have not presented any request asking Him to heal me.  Some of this has to do with my confidence in Him.  I am convinced that He knows what He is doing better than I do, so it just makes sense to trust Him.  But, this is not what I see in scripture.  I see people presenting requests, people coming to Jesus to be healed.  They come to Him knowing that He is the Healer.  While much can be made of doctors’ skills to heal, nothing will come of it if He is not involved.  I have heard about it in surgeries.  Some go well, others do not.  As great as Dr. Kibler and his rehab team are, the real one I want on my side is God.  The question is: why do I want to be healed?  I think that is a valid question for any of us to ask about our motives.  “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:1-3) Here I am, injured and coming to God with a request.  For you, maybe it is something else you are asking Him for.  Maybe it’s that job.  Maybe it’s a test or game to go well.  Maybe it’s a much more serious health issue than mine.  The question is: Am I better off, from God’s perspective, with this issue not being solved the way I would like it to be?  If being healed will cause me to sin more, if being healed will cause me to think more about myself and my plans, if being healed causes me to care less about God, if being healed causes me to be concerned with the things of this world and not Him, then it is better for me that I remain hurt!  When I ask Him for things, am I thinking about what is good for me or am I thinking about how I can serve Him better if this was resolved?  I think that whatever causes me to be closer to God, whatever causes me to love others better, whatever causes others to love Him more, that is what He wants to do in my life.  He wants us to come to Him for healing.  He wants us to come to Him and stay with Him.  “Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.  So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”  (Luke 17:11-19) “Father, please heal my shoulder.  I am Your servant and I want to accomplish Your will.  If it would be better for my shoulder not to be healed, I am fine with that.  I trust You.  I know the platform I get, the opportunities I have to shine Your light when on or off the field, so if You do choose to heal my shoulder, please help me, Your servant, to love You and others the way You have loved me.”