Sometimes in life it just takes a few kind words to change someone’s outlook. The same goes for ballplayers and Devon Travis experienced that first-hand during the Toronto Blue Jays‘ series in Anaheim, Calif. this past weekend.
He entered Friday’s opener with just five hits in 48 at-bats (.104) on the season and was pulled aside during batting practice that day by Angels veteran and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols.
Travis shared the story with Sportsnet’s Arash Madani:
“It’s only April. Don’t worry about the numbers. You’re a good player, don’t get down, don’t put pressure on yourself. I know what you can do,” Pujols told Travis.
The advice looks to have gone a long way for Travis, who hit a double on Sunday in addition to his first home run of the season, a pivotal two-run shot to left field that helped secure a win in support of teammate Marcus Stroman.
“See, I told you. Keep swinging, keep believing,” Pujols reportedly told Travis following his strong day at the plate. “Look, we are peers. We may be in a different uniform, but there’s so much more to all of this than the game.”
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