Time For Big Pelf To Take Control Of His Life And His Role As Mets Ace

Today noted sports psychologist Harvey Dorfman, who was a mentor to Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey, passed away.

Pelfrey consulted Dorfman to help him with his "yips", and Pelfrey regularly consulted him after games that he pitched.

The tall righty acknowledged:

“There wasn’t a start that went by when I didn’t talk to him afterward. This is really sad. He meant a lot, helping me handle my emotions on the mound, and slowing the game down. Baseball and the world lost a very good man.”

With Pelfrey as the Mets Ace until Johan Santana gets back on the mound, Pelfrey is going to have to learn how to deal with the pressures and stress of a Major League ballplayer in New York.

As Pelfrey said:

“It’s going to be tough the next time I have a rough game, and have to figure out how to handle adversity. I can’t describe how much I owe to him."

Here is a news flash Mike, Dorfman didn't grip a baseball and throw it 95 MPH on the outside black. He also never let up a gopher ball, balked, nor had a throwing error. That was all you. The good, the bad, the ugly. It was Michael Alan Pelfrey, not Harvey Dorfman.

I'm not saying Dorfam might not have been a great guy, and that his death has affected and will affect many athletes. I am merely stating that it's time to grow up Mike. You are a terrific pitcher, and you will give up a homerun in 2011, you will walk batters, you might even have a few balks. You also will strike out batters and win ball games. That is what Mike Pelfrey does, not Harvey Dorfman.

It's time to accept the role of Ace on this staff, and there is no better way than to have confidence in yourself, and if need be, use the tools Dr. Dorfman taught you. You can and will be able to succeed. You just need to realize it yourself.

Here is your wake-up call Mike. Go out there and pitch the way we all know you can.

Sources: NY Daily News, Baseball Reference