A chat with Scott Boras cleared Ryan Madson's mind
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- When the Phillies went to Los Angeles last August, Ryan Madson had pitched to a 1.95 ERA in 28 games since returning from an embarrassing broken toe injury that kept him out for two months.
A chat with Scott Boras cleared Ryan Madson's mind
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- When the Phillies went to Los Angeles last August, Ryan Madson had pitched to a 1.95 ERA in 28 games since returning from an embarrassing broken toe injury that kept him out for two months.
But he still sought advice from a close friend, his agent Scott Boras. They met and Boras asked Madson why he had been so unsuccessful in closing opportunities before and what had prompted him to kick the chair. He wanted to know Madson's mental state.
Following the hour-long chat, Madson said he had a clearer mind. He didn't need to consult anyone else.
"After I was done talking to him, I was like 'Where's the pitching mound? Let me try this,'" Madson said. "It was like a salesman talking you into a better car."
Who knew Boras had those powers?
In all seriousness, Madson is convinced he's in a better mental state and if the chance to close in Brad Lidge's absence arises, he says he is ready. The Phillies will decide between Madson and Jose Contreras to close -- or use both.
The chat with Boras still resonates for Madson.
"He said, 'Tell me what your mentality was when you were closing,'" Madson recalled. "I was like, I thought I was going to be perfect. I really thought I was going to be perfect and not blow one save. That was my mentality going out there. That's what I was like in the minor-leagues, so I stuck with it. Well it doesn't work that way. You're putting too much emphasis on every pitch. It has to be perfect. Then when you blow a save, it carries on and little things happen. It's so finicky of an inning you can't be finicky with your mind. You have to be solid and just know, 'This is going to happen. Tomorrow it's not.'"
Madson, by the way, is a free agent after this season. With Boras as his agent, he signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the Phillies before the 2009 season.
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I'm sure the guy wouldn't be one of the top agents if he didn't do a lot of good for his clients. It's amazing how much we assume based off of an article written by the media. I bet if you actually asked Boras what his job was, it would go well beyond getting the biggest pay day.— MFPhils- He better be good.— joe$
- Time will tell. I will feel much better with Madson closing games instead of Contreras. The Phils cannot afford too many more injuries. How long before Rollins or Ibanez go down?— acmpbloom
- @MFPhils...this article does nothing to dispute the claim of what Boras is. He is a terrific salesman. Whether he sells to the clubs signing his players or to the players themselves about their abilities he's still selling. And apparently he's very good at it, too. As a fan who's watched prices dramatically increase as result of escalating salaries, and watching my favorite teams miss out on players because he demanded more than they would pay it makes me annoyed with him. However if I were a player I would love an agent like him who more often than not gets the best deals for his clients.— Eilex826
- Scott Boras is the enemy, people. Wake up!— Stanley_Cup_Sponge_And_Ajax
- Of course Boras did everything he could to make Madson comfortable as a closer. Closer contract = more money for Boras. This isn't rocket science people.— tripleplay83
- I am glad Boars is doing the same thing any other agent would and should do. Let's see Ryan put the hammer down on some people in the ninth. I think he is going to be sensational this season at both setup and closers roles IF Lidge is able to come back healthy.— Clt Philly Fan
- We need him to be ready because the job is his now that Lidge is done— shawnmac
- Mad Dog gonna get P-A-I-D next year. Going to have to totally rebuild the pen with Lidge, Mad Dog, the corpse of Baez, and other's off the books.— DennyP
- If Madson can step up during Lidge's absence and win the closer role he will "win" Lidge's salary added on top of what he already earns. I hope the Phillies pony up and can keep him on board for a couple more years.— jtj06
- scott boras = mother theresa.— AndyReidsMustache
- I feel much better trotting out Madson than Lidge. Lots more control and less unpredictable.— deangardella
Madson will not be able to throw 97mph fastballs and occasional changeup and get through the year as successful closer. Most of the good hitters can hit a fastball. He needs to develop a good breaking ball or 2 maybe. I hope he's been working on that.- Boras is a dirtbag— Phront_Runner
- In the past, Madson has not had the closers mentality. Its not something that is easily atainable. I think he has the ability to get there but so far I havent seen it. Hopefully this is the year that he learns how to close out a game. If not, we will struggle to finish off an opponent.
— PhillyFever
