Matt Joyce was a member of the West Michigan Whitecaps in his first full season as a pro and he stunk.
He was 20 years old, batting under .200 in mid-May, had injured his quad and Whitecaps manager Matt Walbeck didn't like what he was saw on a bus trip to the next game.
Joyce was floundering.
"I remember he came up and asked me what I was reading, what I was learning," Joyce recalled. "Basically, Wally want to know how I was improving. And, at the time I really wasn't reading or learning anything."
Joyce got the message: Do something. He dove in, discovered self-help books and gravitated to the power of positive thinking. Learning his mind changed his game.
"It really helped me to control my mindset," Joyce said. "When I came back from the injury, I made a little adjustment (at the plate) and with the new mental approach, I really felt like I took off from there."
He went on to have a strong season with the Whitecaps in 2006, then marched through the Detroit Tigers' organization to reach the big club in 2008.
Joyce credited mental strength as the cornerstone to a major league career that has spanned 11 seasons with four organizations. That has included 138 career home runs along with an all-star appearance in 2011 when hit 19 home runs, 75 RBIs and batted. 277.
"No doubt that I have since been a big believer in controlling your thoughts and mastering your mind," Joyce said. "What you are telling yourself, what you are feeding your mind, what you are reading, what you are watching and what you are listening to. I think every little bit plays a role and an impact on your journey. Taking that approach has really made a difference for me."
Now a 34-year-old free agent, Joyce will be inducted into the Whitecaps Hall of Fame on Thursday during the team's winter banquet.
After the slow start that first season at West Michigan, Joyce went on to excel. The former 12th-round draft pick batted .258 with 11 home runs and a team-high 86 RBIs. The Whitecaps, under Walbeck, went 89-48 and won the Midwest League championship with a team that included other future major leaguers as Cameron Maybin, Will Rhymes and pitcher Burke Badenhop.
In May 2008, Joyce debuted with the Tigers and became a versatile fourth outfielder. He hit 12 home runs, 33 RBIs and a .252 batting average in 92 games. After one season, however, he was gone, dealt to Tampa Bay in the offseason for starting pitcher Edwin Jackson.
"There was the initial side; first like, 'Wow, why don't want me,'" he said. "I loved Detroit. The fans were very welcoming, I was excited about the future and I was very comfortable with the organization. But, you never know. I know Brennan Bosch was coming up behind me.
“… For me, there was the other side. I got to go home (to Florida) and play at home for five years and play on great teams and be a part of three playoffs teams. I have great memories from playing at home, too. But Detroit will always be my first and I have great memories from it.”
Joyce will be back in West Michigan for the first time since his Class A days when he is inducted into the team's hall of fame.
“I really want to express my gratitude, and that everyone understands how appreciative I am for this honor,” he said.
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