The Sox pitcher is working with a sport psychologist who wrote The Mental Game of Baseball.

08:21 AM EDT on Thursday, June 17, 2004

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

DENVER -- In the macho world of pro sports, it wasn't long ago that meeting with a sports psychologist would result in scorn and ridicule for an athlete.

Therapy? That was for the weak-minded, not the strong-willed who compete at the highest possible level.

But the game has changed. If Tony Soprano can work through his issues with Dr. Melfi, why can't a starting pitcher confer regularly with Dr. Harvey Dorfman?

"I've worked with him," said Derek Lowe yesterday without the slightest bit of self-consciousness. "I think it's a positive. He teaches you the right things to think and the wrong things to think. If it helps, why not?"

Lowe began using the services of a sports psychiatrist several years ago and this season, after switching to Scott Boras as his represenative, began working with Dorfman, who gained attention about a decade ago while working with members of the Atlanta Braves. More recently, Dorfman was hired by Boras to work exclusively with his clients.

Dorfman is the author of the book, The Mental Game of Baseball and worked as a consultant with several organizations before joining Boras's team.

What's more, Lowe said, the majority of his teammates are -- or have at one time -- worked with sports psychiatrists or psychologists.

"I think it's good for every player," he said. "I'd say over half of the established guys in (the Red Sox clubhouse) have used them. I think, with me, people think, 'Oh, this guy is a mental case -- he needs one.' But a lot of guys talk with them on a regular basis."

Thanks to changes in popular culture and the success of people like Dorfman, the stigma associated with therapy has virtually disappeared.

"The game's changed," Lowe said. "If this were 20-30 years ago and a guy like Luis Tiant were doing this, it would be a big deal. Now, this is just another tool to make you better."

Lowe has found that his sessions -- which typically are done by phone the day following his starts -- sharpen his mental approach on the mound. Understandably, he was reluctant to provide specifics of his conversations with Dorfman, but he said the talks are often brief, and involve Lowe recounting a particularly challenging stretch he encountered in his most recent outing, with the doctor offering his insight.

He added that Dorfman has not discouraged him from displaying his emotions on the mound, something the Sox have, as an organization, often voiced their displeasure over.

"You just don't want those emotions to affect you negatively," he said. "You don't want to take away who people are. With me, I'm an emotional guy and I have to channel that in the right way. What you you want is to erase all negative thoughts out there, especially as a pitcher. What I've found out is, what you tell yourself, that's what you're going to do."

Dorfman uses the popular practice of "visualization," in which athletes are asked to picture themselves being successful. The more an athlete envisions himself doing well, the more likely he can expect to meet with success.

But Lowe dismisses any suggestion that his sessions with Dorman have turned around his season. After struggling from mid-April through early June, Lowe has turned into two straight strong starts, each resulting in victories.

But a link? "That's just dumb luck or coincidence," he said. "I've been making better pitches."

Still, Lowe allows that there may be some connection.

"I definitely think (the consulations) help," he said. "I guess you could say that I've been making better pitches, and I've been making better pitches because I feel better about myself on the mound. So, we could go around and around all day on this.

"(The process) clears your thinking. And the better you think, the more positive you're going to be. It doesn't work overnight, but it's helpful. It's provided to you as a way to improve yourself -- not just as a pitcher, but as a person. It's all about making yourself better. I'd be foolish not to use it."