Athletes bring mental health concerns to forefront years after Jimmy Pearsall opened the door

With the return of tennis star Naomi Osaka to competition at the Australian Open, the topic of athletes’ mental health is again front and center.

Osaka openly shared her personal anxieties and mental health concerns last year after being fined and then withdrawing from the French Open for failing to meet the players’ media requirements. At the U.S. Open in New York, she smashed her racquet, lost her match, launched a ball into the stands, left the court and walked away from the spotlight. It was time, she said, to get away from the pressures of tennis and focus on her health and well-being.

Olympic champion gymnast Simone Biles made a similar declaration when she withdrew from various events during the Summer Olympics, and Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson took some time off during the season to address his mental health.

The most decorated American gymnast in history, Biles was feeling the effects of years of sexual abuse by USA Gymnastics team physician Dr. Larry Nasser and the associated legal proceedings that kept Nasser in the media and top of mind. Nasser is now serving a life sentence in prison. In addition to a tour and other successful endeavors following the Olympics, Biles is also using her celebrity to communicate the importance of mental health awareness.

After years of keeping his depression and anxiety to himself, Johnson left the Eagles for a few weeks in October to work on his mental health and personal life. He missed three games but returned to the team and helped the Eagles earn a playoff spot before losing to Tampa Bay in the wild-card round. Johnson appreciates the positive outpouring of support from the Eagles and his fans and wants people who are struggling to know they are not alone.

It’s a big step forward that well-known athletes are finally opening up and not hiding their personal struggles. Years ago, it was unheard of for anyone, especially those in the public eye, to admit to illness or injury, especially anything remotely related to mental health. Better late than never, the mental health stigma appears to be lifting.

Long before Osaka, Biles, and Johnson, though, there was Jimmy Pearsall.

Pearsall, who passed away in 2017 at age 87, played 17 seasons in the major leagues, a career that was marked by a number of unusual occurrences. He fought with opponents as well as a teammate or two, comically acted out the pitching motion of Satchel Paige, mocked other opponents, made strange noises while playing, went into the stands to confront an angry fan, and famously celebrated his 100th career home run by running around the bases backwards.

My friend Gerry O’Donnell grew up in Boston and often went to Fenway Park to watch Pearsall, Ted Williams and his other Red Sox heroes.

“I remember Jimmy Pearsall trotting out to play center field and then sitting down with his back to home plate while the game was going on,” O’Donnell says. “The umpire, manager and his teammates tried to get him to his feet, but Jimmy didn’t stand up and turn around until he was good and ready. He was always doing something eccentric.”

Pearsall’s mother also battled mental illness and spent much time during his childhood as an inpatient in psychiatric hospitals, leaving him home with a father who reportedly pushed him hard to pursue baseball. He wasn’t the first major leaguer to struggle with mental health, but he did blaze a trail by writing about it in his book, Fear Strikes Out.

Finally, an athlete in the public eye shared openly his struggle. People were shocked when Pearsall explained he didn’t remember playing in 56 major league games before having a meltdown and being admitted to the hospital for what was later diagnosed as bipolar disorder. He returned to the Red Sox the following season and continued his playing career that included two All-Star game appearances, two Gold Glove awards, and a .272 lifetime batting average. In addition to the Red Sox, he also played for the Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, New York Mets and Los Angeles/California Angels.

The book, and his willingness to talk about his experiences, was an attempt to educate people about mental illness and show that you can come back, contribute positively and enjoy life with the proper care and support. He wrote a second book, The Truth Hurts, to further share his message.

Though not as famous as Osaka, Biles, Johnson or Pearsall, the news that Tampa Bay Rays bullpen catcher Jean Ramirez took his own life earlier this month stings even more. Ramirez, who played three seasons in the Rays’ minor league system and was named the team’s bullpen catcher in 2019, caught his team, family and friends by surprise when he ended his life.

“The loss of our son has been the most excruciating experience we have lived,” the Ramirez family said in a statement to the Rays. “Unfortunately, we sometimes don’t see the signs. Struggling in silence is not okay. It is our commitment to honor our son’s life by helping other families. No parent should have to endure the loss of their child. We are very grateful to the Tampa Bay Rays organization, whom we consider our family, for their love and support. Our son felt loved by all of you. Thank you to our family, friends and everyone else far and near for the outpouring of love and support.”

Ramirez had a goal of becoming a major league coach. Sadly, his dream will never come true. It isn’t too late, though, for other people suffering from anxiety, depression or other mental health issues to achieve theirs. As the Ramirez family says, “struggling in silence is not okay.”

And as Pearsall so effectively showed, there is a future for those who seek help. Don’t suffer in silence. Follow the examples of Naomi Osaka, Simone Biles, Lane Johnson and Jimmy Pearsall and take care of your mental health.

That will be a major victory for everyone.