Buck presented a commemorative bat to Russ Avery, South Jordan City assistant fire marshal, for the department’s help in construction of the stadium. (Photos by Tom Haraldsen/Salt Lake Business Journal)
Professional athletes and first responders have very different lifestyles, but share a common challenge: mental health. That was the emphasis of the Resilience Roundtable hosted by "In The Open," the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, Miller Sports & Entertainment, and the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation in June.
The event held at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan brought together several Major League Baseball veterans, military members and first responders for a candid discussion on mental well-being. It preceded two baseball games between local first responder and military teams, and an on-field screening of the 1993 film "The Sandlot," which was filmed in Utah — all reinforcing a powerful message that seeking help when needed is a strength.
Moderator of the discussion was Sean Casey, analyst for the MLB Network, which taped the roundtable for future airing. He played for five major league teams — Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Boston — over 12 seasons and was a three-time All-Star selection. He also coached for one year with the New York Yankees following his retirement.
People cannot live in gratitude and fear. The key is to help gratitude succeed, and relinquishing the fear, to frame your current day and reverse the negative of the day before.
Sean Casey, analyst for the MLB Network"People cannot live in gratitude and fear," he said. "The key is to help gratitude succeed, and relinquishing the fear, to frame your current day and reverse the negative of the day before."
With five former MLB players seated on the stage, he pointed out that major leaguers are subject to a worklife stress most people are not — playing 162 games over a 180-day period. "They can sometimes feel very alone on the road for that many days, in different cities, and even with fans in the stands cheering them on, they can feel very much on their own."
John Buck, a native of Taylorsville who played for the Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Florida/Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, spoke of his own personal experiences after losing both his mother and brother due to mental health issues.
"You need to lean into the challenges, and be able to transition after you've faced them and met them," he said. His wife, Brooke, who along with Lory Ankiel served as organizers of the panel discussion on behalf of "In the Open," added that asking others for help is not a weakness but a strength, and a lesson people need to learn in their youth. John Buck said he's turned down opportunities to coach in professional baseball because he loves working with kids in high school and youth leagues. On his Instagram page, Buck expressed gratitude for the participants at the roundtable and the information they shared.
"All the hard work, planning, stress and effort paid off," he wrote. "'In the Open' brought together a community of people willing to have real conversations about mental health. The roundtable discussion, led by Sean Casey and first responders, far exceeded my expectations. The honesty, vulnerability and willingness to share personal experiences reminded me why this event mattered so much. A huge thank-you to the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, the Gail Miller and Family Foundation, the incredible staff at the Bees stadium, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this day possible."
Four teams of first responders then played a pair of one-hour baseball games, coached by Casey, with former major leaguers Scott Spiezio, Rick Ankiel, Jeremy Affeldt and Jason Grilli helping out. John Buck said those players "represented your departments, your families, and your professions with pride. You put on one heck of a show."
He added, "Throughout the day, I felt my brother, Paul, and my mom looking down from heaven. I know they were proud. Their lives, their struggles, and their memories were woven into every part of this event and every conversation we had. Conversations about mental health happened. The community came together. My brothers that I shared a clubhouse with throughout my baseball career showed up. First responders were celebrated. Families connected. Stories were shared. Hearts were opened."
]]>
