To understand what makes Chicago Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman great on the diamond requires understanding his mindset.
There is his conventional vision of success: making at least 30 starts, something he has accomplished four times in his Major League Baseball career. Stroman takes pride in that figure because it requires staying healthy and typically means pitching deep into games.
But he never puts too much emphasis on each start — it’s more about the totality of the journey, and it goes beyond what happens on the field.
Before and after every start Stroman, 30, reads “The Seven Spiritual Laws and Success” and “The Four Agreements,” keeping a copy of each in his backpack. They help Stroman clear and calm his mind, something just as important as the physical side of the game.
Stroman believes the type of energy a person puts out into the universe returns tenfold. He’s a deep thinker searching for enlightenment, and what fuels him goes beyond his pitching line and personal accolades. He loves taking care of his family and a trusted small circle of people. His son, Kai Zen, born in the offseason, gives him a new perspective.
Since a young age, Stroman prepared for challenges he might face. He credits his father, Earl, for raising him to be thick-skinned and telling him he had to have a chip on his shoulder, that whatever room he walked into Stroman needed to think he was the man.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) throws during Spring Training.
“I took that to heart every single day after that,” Stroman told the Tribune. “I’m African American-Puerto Rican, I’m fully tatted, I have a Duke degree — I understand the perception of how people look at me and judge me before I even open my mouth. I understand society. I understand how I’m going to be viewed.
“I realize if I say the sky is blue, someone’s going to have a problem with it, so I’m at the point where I don’t care. I’m truly happy, my family’s healthy. I’m doing everything that I’ve imagined in my life so that’s always my priority.”
Stroman’s demeanor and attitude has resonated in the Cubs clubhouse despite having just four weeks to get to know his new teammates. Coaches and players were impressed by his work ethic during camp. Right-hander Kyle Hendricks raved about Stroman’s mental approach and attitude.
“It is really remarkable to see him come in and you can just sense he’s the same guy, in the same place, he’s very present, knows where he is. It’s just really cool to watch,” Hendricks told the Tribune. “And you can just see it or not in a guy, he’s not ever rushed. He’s not ever in the wrong spot. You can tell mentally, very secure. It’s something he works on a lot.”
Beyond leading by example, Stroman isn’t afraid to share what’s on his mind. Hendricks cited the importance of needing representation of a variety of personalities in a clubhouse.
“You can’t just have everybody fill in the same role so absolutely it’s going to be huge, he’ll bring that out of other guys by just being willing and comfortable in that way,” Hendricks said. “He’ll bring more truth and more honesty out of everybody, and I think that just breeds cohesiveness and chemistry on the team.”
Individuality is generally not promoted in baseball. Stroman acknowledged there is a perception he isn’t a team player because he pushes his brand.
“Truly, if you look at it, in order to be the best teammate, you need to be your best self first,” Stroman said. “I don’t think people understand that. In order for me to be the best teammate, I need to be my best self mentally, emotionally and physically. That allows me to bring the most value to my teammates, that allows me to go out there and perform at the highest degree. That’s something that I’ve always put a priority on.”
Stroman’s interests are extensive and wide-ranging.
His foundation, Height Doesn’t Measure Heart (HDMH), is a saying the 5-foot-7 Stroman repeated to himself to infuse confidence when he wasan undersized kid. Stroman, who also released an HDMH apparel line, is in the process of launching Shugo in mid-summer, describing it as a high-end luxury brand.
He started a YouTube channel last month and is on TikTok, both avenues to give people insight into his life and the work he puts in behind the scenes.
Stroman wants to connect with young people in a sport that desperately needs it.
“I’m an authentic soul who always will chase my dreams and I won’t let anything stop that,” Stroman said. “I protect my people at all costs, and I provide for my people. That’s why I work as much as I do.”
Stroman is always chasing his passions, including music. He has been featured on tracks with former Duke teammate and rapper Mike Seander. Stroman is also in the process of writing a children’s book.
“People are always like, ‘Oh, he’s doing too much,’ but it’s actually the opposite because I can promise you that there’s no one who works harder than me,” Stroman said. “It’s just that I also have interests that allow me to clear my mind. And when my mind is clear, that allows me to be the best on the field.
“I don’t allow baseball to become overwhelming because when you allow baseball to become overwhelming, it can be very draining and toxic.”
Over the course of his eight seasons in the big leagues, Stroman has learned to prioritize mental health. He works with a mental coach and mental strategist. He wants to be well-balanced and believes happiness comes from within, allowing it to flourish into all other areas. Baseball does not define his life.
None of this means Stroman doesn’t care about winning or isn’t a fierce competitor. But athletes are human, too, and there is more than what happens between the white lines.
“I’m someone who wakes up ready to live and I want to enjoy every single day,” Stroman said. “Obviously there’s going to be rough patches. My rough patches now are much smaller than they used to be, which is a great feeling.”
That philosophy would seemingly be at odds with social media and the toxicity that can arise from Twitter, on which Stroman is regularly present with nearly 515,000 followers. He typically tweets daily and liberally mutes and blocks people who bring negative energy.
At times Stroman responds and dishes it back, explaining that “sometimes you’ve got to check people” and move on.
“They wear blocks as badges of honor. It’s so comical to me,” Stroman said. “If you get to a point in your life where you’re wearing a block as a badge of honor, you need to recalculate, you need to go back to the drawing board because I guarantee you’re not living a truly happy life.”
Stroman admits in the earlier part of his career things he read in his mentions might have gotten to him. He used to pitch angry on the mound. Now Stroman says he is calm. He sees negative comments telling him he’s terrible and can laugh them off because of his peace of mind. Living out his dream puts everything in perspective “so nobody can take away from that. Nobody.”
Finding a way to let go and not care about what others think of him was not easy. Stroman said it was a journey that began after he tore the ACL in his left knee in 2015. It was then he first began working with a mental coach and became interested in books. He came to understand what life means to him and learned to appreciate what makes him happy.
Stroman is still working on himself and expects it will be a constant, ongoing process. When he feels off, he might schedule a call with his mental coach or a therapist to re-center.
“I think a lot of people neglect that, and that’s why you have a lot of people on Twitter yelling at me,” Stroman said. “If they did a better job at focusing on themselves and clearing their mind and focusing on their deeper self and finding their true happiness in life, they’re not going to have that animosity or they’re not going to want to project all those insecurities on others. Because when you do, you’re taking away from yourself.”
When Stroman takes the mound Sunday for his Cubs debut, it will coincide with his first time pitching at Wrigley. The historic venue is the lone ballpark he has not yet pitched in. He already has felt the love and appreciation from fans before throwing a pitch. Stroman started getting chills as he envisioned the energy he will experience walking onto the field Sunday.
“Everywhere I’ve went no matter what I feel like, people show up to watch me pitch and I love that,” Stroman said. “I love the energy. I love pressure. I’m someone who’s always performed pretty well under pressure. It’s something that takes me to the next level.”
Plenty of Cubs fans will be wearing Stroman’s jersey Sunday for his debut. He switched to No. 0 last season with the New York Mets and stuck with it after signing a three-year, $71 million contract with the Cubs in the offseason that includes an opt-out after 2023. The number choice was purposeful and is a rarity. Stroman is one of only 31 players to wear the number in major-league history and is the first Cub to don it.
His connection to No. 0 is less about the number itself, rather what the shape represents — a continuous flow of life.
Or, as Stroman put it: “I like having that vibe on my back.”
Photos: A salute to Brewers radio voice Bob Uecker on his 88th birthday
Bob Uecker, AP generic file photo
Milwaukee Brewers sportscaster Bob Uecker speaks at a news conference on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018 in Milwaukee.
notes photo
Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker gets the ball back from manager Craig Counsell after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch Friday night at Miller Park.
Bob Uecker, Rick Schlesinger, new Brewers spring training facility, AP photo
Milwaukee Brewers Hall of Fame announcer Bob Uecker, right, and team president of business operations Rick Schlesinger attend a ribbon ceremony for the team’s refurbished spring training facility on Tuesday in Phoenix, now named American Family Fields of Phoenix.
Bob Uecker doing play by play in 2000
SPECIAL FOR WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL– Milwaukee Brewers radio anouncer Bob Uecker gives the play by play at Wednesday, August 2, 2000, game in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/ Darren Hauck)
Bob Uecker
Bob Uecker
Brewers radio broadcaster
$10-$100 from Rollover Shareholder Services
Bob Uecker statue
Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker sits next to his statue Friday at Miller Park in Milwaukee. The statue of the Hall of Fame broadcaster was unveiled before the Brewer’s game against the Chicago Cubs.
Bob Uecker
Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker sits next to his statue Friday, at Miller Park in Milwaukee. The statue of the Hall of Fame broadcaster was unveiled before the Brewer’s game against the Chicago Cubs.
Bob Uecker photo
Bob Uecker Brewers Baseball
Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker smiles at a news conference Friday, May 14, 2010, in Milwaukee. Uecker underwent heart surgery on Friday, April 30, 2010, and talked about his recovery. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Bob Uecker
FILE – In this Oct. 4, 2008, file photo, Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker acknowledges the crowd before throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the first inning baseball in Game 3 of the National League division series in Milwaukee. Uecker is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on Friday, April 30, 2010, and is expected to need two to three months to recover. (AP Photo/Ben Smidt, File)
Mark Attanasio, Bud Selig, Bob Uecker
Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, left, shares a moment with Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, center, and Bob Uecker before a baseball game between the Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, in Milwaukee. The Brewers hosted a reunion of the 1982 American League Championship team. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Uecker
Bob Uecker, right, prepares to leave Reefpoint Marina, early Thursday June 21, 2007, for the celebrity Pro/Am event that precedes his 12th annual Great Lakes Invitiational fishing tournament to benefit the Make a Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. Forty-nine boats, each with about five people on board, will compete in the two-day event, Friday and Saturday. Last year’s event raised $45,000, enough to grant seven patients’ wishes. / Mark Hertzberg Journal Times Buy this photo at jtreprints.com
MILWAUKEE BRAVES
1962-63 BOB UECKER CATCHER
BOB UECKER.jpg
BREW CREW UECKER !.jpg
Brew Crew Bob Uecker. Photo By Henry A. Koshollek
BREW CREW UECKER 2.jpg
BREW CREW Bob Uecker and Coach Ned Yost. Photo By Henry A. Koshollek
BRAVES BREWERS
Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker catches the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005, in Milwaukee. The Brewers honored Uecker during a pregame ceremony commemorating his 50 years in baseball. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
UECKER
Bob Uecker, recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting, delivers a monologue during induction ceremonies Sunday, July 27, 2003 in Cooperstown, N.Y. (AP Photo/John Dunn)
UECKER
Broadcaster and former Major Leaguer Bob Uecker gives a thumbs up before playing in the Hall of Fame Golf Tournament Saturday, July 26, 2003 in Cooperstown, N.Y. Uecker, who has called Milwaukee Brewers games for the past 33 years, has been named the recipient of the 2003 Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting. (AP Photo/John Dunn)
UECKER
* ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS JULY 26 27 ** Milwaukee Brewers’ radio announcer Bob Uecker works out of the radio booth during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, July 7, 2003, at Miller Park in Milwaukee. “Mr. Baseball,” as Uecker was dubbed by Johnny Carson, will become a Hall of Famer. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
UECKER
**ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS JULY 26-27**Milwaukee Brewers’ radio announcer Bob Uecker works out of the radio booth during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday, July 7, 2003, at Miller Park in Milwaukee. “Mr. Baseball,” as Uecker was dubbed by Johnny Carson, will become a Hall of Famer. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
BOB UECKER 1
Bob Uecker answers questions from the press before a game at Miller Park. Photo by Henry A. Koshollek (Published caption 4-5-03) Bob Uecker has been the radio voice of the Milwaukee Brewers for the past 33 years. This summer, Uecker will be inducted into the broadcasting wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
BOB UECKER 2
Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Bob Uecker ponders a question during a pre-game interview with the media. Photo by Henry A. Koshollek
Bob Uecker 2
Brewers Team President Ulice Payne, left, and Bob Uecker before the Brewers home opener Friday April 4, 2003. WSJ/Steve Apps. (PUBLISHED 4/13/03) Milwaukee Brewers announcer Bob Uecker greets the opening-day crowd at Miller Park with team president Ulice Payne.
BOB UECKER 3
Milwaukee Brewers baseball voice Bob Uecker in the press box during the game. Photo by Henry A. Koshollek (Published caption 4-5-03) Milwaukee Brewers radio voice Bob Uecker is hard at work in the press box during Friday’s home opener at Miller Park.
BOB UECKER 4
Pregame Bob Uecker does interview with new manager Ned Yost . Photo by Henry A. Koshollek
BREWERS GIANTS 3
Milwaukee Manager Ned Yost, left, and Bob Uecker walk off the field after Uecker threw out the first pitch before the game. The Milwaukee Brewers held their home opener Friday, April 4, 2003, hosting the San Francisco Giants at Miller Park. WSJ/Steve Apps (Published caption 4-5-03) After throwing out the first pitch, Brewers announcer Bob Uecker walks off the field with manager Ned Yost.
Local Brewers Opening Day 4.JPG
Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost (cq) embraces Bob Uecker after Uecker threw out the ceremonial first pitch during the opening day pregame ceremonies, Friday April 4, 2003 at Miller Park. The Brewers faced the San Francisco Giants in the first home game of the year. Photo by Ron Kuenstler rk
Uecker Waits his turn
Milwaukee Brewers announcer Bob Uecker waits for his chance to throw out the first pitch during the Brewers season opener at Miller Park, Friday April 4, 2003. WSJ/Steve Apps. (PUBLISHED 4/13/03) Bob Uecker will join three former Brewers in the Hall of Fame: Hank Aaron, Rollie Fingers and Robin Yount.
NO SALES MNI,RAC,WSJ, LAX-OUT
The seat used in a brew commerical and installed in RT field in the highest teer of nose bleed section.presented to brewers announcer Bob Uecker. Photo HENRY A. KOSHOLLEK WHEN THINGS WERE BREWING
HOWINGTON
Milwaukee Brewers radio announcer Bob Uecker, left, shakes hands with baseball commissioner Bud Selig before taking the field for a pregame celebration of his 30 years in the job, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2000, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Darren Hauck)
DIGITAL IMAGE
Milwaukee Brewers radio anouncer Bob Uecker waves to the crowd at County Stadium after celebrating 30 years as the anouncer for the Brewers, before their game Saturday, Aug. 12, 2000, against the St. Louis Cardinals in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Darren Hauck)
uecker bob fishing local jms
BREWERS Uecker 4 11 00
For Dennis Semraus column , Bob Ucker rides a harlkey ibn the stadium befor throwing out 1st pitch. Photo Henry A. Koshollek 4-10-00 TCTg3 Pg1 SPTS< < Milwaukee radio play-by-play announcer Bob Uecker enters County Stadium on a Harley Davidson before throwing out the first pitch Monday. (PUBLISHED 4/11/00)
Garner, Phil Uecker 4 3 99
GARNER +UCKER Photo Hank Koshollek TCTG3 SPTS (PUBLISHED 4/3/99) Milwaukee manager Phil Garner (left), being interviewed before a game last season by Brewers radio announcer bob Uecker, may be in jeopardy of losing his job if the Brewers aren’t competitive this season.
DIGITAL IMAGE
Milwaukee Brewers announcer Bob Uecker leads the crowd in a rendition of ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ Tuesday, June 16, 1998, at Wrigley Field in Chicago during the seventh inning stretch of the Chicago Cubs-Brewers game. As a way to honor Harry Caray, the Cubs longtime announcer who died in February, the team decided to have guest conductors sing the song, Caray’s trademark, throughout the season. (AP Photo/Mike Fisher)
LOCAL UECKER FISHING MAKE A WIS
Bob Uecker, center, hands a rope to a worker at Reefpoint Marina as he docks his boat Thursday June 4, 1998 during his Great Lakes Invitational fishing tournament that benefits the Make-a-Wish Foundation. photo mark hertzberg mh
LOCAL UECKER FISHING LJG
Bob Uecker,center, returns to Reefpoint Marina Thursday, June 19, 1997, during the Bob Uecker Great Lakes Invitational fishing tournament. Photo by Liana J. Griffith
LOCAL UECKER LJG
Bob Uecker talks with a television reporter after returning back to Reefpoint Marina Thursday, June 19, 1997, during the Bob Uecker Great Lakes Invitational fishing tournament. Photo by Liana J. Griffith
BOB UECKER
** FILE ** Bob Uecker had a fishing pole made out of a baseball bat at the celebrity introduction to his charity fishing tournament in Racine, Wis., in this June 20, 1996 photo. Finally, Bob Uecker will be in the front row for something, the Hall of Fame ceremony. Uecker was picked for the Ford C. Frick Award and will be inducted into the announcers’ wing of the Hall on July 27. (AP Photo/Journal Times, Paul Smith)
Get local news delivered to your inbox!