As you go through the list of reasons for the team that won the title in a short season, solid initial pitching, a strong bullpen and a deep lineup are the top three choices.
Now, with MLB hoping to launch a 60-match regular season and a 10-team postseason amidst a COVID-19 pandemic and in front of an empty stadium, at least initially, Zack Britton has added another tool: self-motivation.
After setting up for the Orioles in Camden Yards who were vacant against the White Sox in 2015, Britton understood it was not easy.
“When I played in a fanless match in Baltimore and it was something I remembered immediately said, ‘I hope I don’t have to do this anymore,’ Britton said Friday on a Zoom call from Yankee Stadium, where he trained and underwent a day’s testing before Saturday’s first Yankees full-squad training that will start spring 2.0 training. “That will be a challenge. I have talked with several people on our team about it and how it feels. That is something we will talk about again in the next few days.
Zack BrittonN.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg
“I think the team that can motivate themselves the best will be a superior team. I honestly believe that it might not be the most talented team this year. I think it will be people who come to the ballpark and don’t rely on adrenaline that the atmosphere will give you but be able to motivate themselves and achieve what they want to achieve. I am absolutely sure it will be the winning team. ‘
With a list of talented young people, young veterans, established stars and several old players in the lines, it’s impossible to predict how they will react to stadium performances that will sound like a funeral home.
“That’s a difficult question. I believe we have people who can do it. We have people who have been playing at the top level for a long time,” said Britton, who fits the group. “The more I am around these types of players, the more I realize they are people who can motivate themselves, people who can maintain a high level of performance throughout the season. I hope our team is a team that can do it. I will have a better feeling for that after we get into that environment, but my reaction is that we will be fine. “
During the season, Britton chose to leave his family of three children and wife, Courtney, in Austin, Texas.
“This is something I decided with my wife that it might be best for them not to be here, see how things are,” said Britton, who said many people work away from their families. “If everything is great towards the end of the year, I’m sure they will come out but for now for me and my family they will stay at home. That gives me the ability to make all the adjustments here and get used to the things that are happening in New York City and not just at the Stadium, the way of life in New York City now. “
