Why did Spencer Horowitz use bright green sneakers & bat at MLB Players' Weekend? Everything about the Blue Jays star's fight with mental health

Good mental health is a priority for any athlete to keep them going in the long run, and Spencer Horowitz perhaps knows it better than anyone else. The Toronto Blue Jays rookie is playing his second season in the big leagues, after debuting last year for a few games.

For the Players' Weekend, a special three-day event where all the players show their engagement with the fans and community, Horowitz used the opportunity to share about mental health awareness. He wore bright green cleats and used a green bat to raise awareness about the issue, with which he is familiar, against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Spencer Horowitz has shown great promise in baseball since an early age. Because of his talent, he got an invitation to the prestigious Cape Cod Summer League in 2018 during his freshman year at Radford University. However, the dream moment soon turned into a nightmare for the young Horowitz.

Horowitz suffered a panic attack and left the league. However, it didn't stop him from his goal of becoming a baseball pro. Since then, he has become more aware of the well-being of his mental health and started working on the issues. He was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 24th round in 2019.

Since his debut last year, he’s been open and vocal about his personal experience and its importance in handling such situations. In a 2023 interview by Hazel Mae, a TV broadcaster and host for Sportsnet, Horowitz shared his experience in the Cape Cod League.

“My mom is my No. 1 fan and I love her so much. I would not be here without her,” Horowitz said.

“She drove up to the Cape that next day, picked me up and said, ‘Everything is going to be OK. We’re gonna get this figured out. Got the right people, right doctors. I’m so grateful to her and love her so much.”

During a pregame interview with Mae, Horowitz had advice for those facing similar difficulties:

“You’re not alone.”

How Spencer Horowitz overcame his panic issues

During an interview with “The Mindset Experience” in 2020, Spencer Horowitz shared how, with time and support, he overcame his issues.

"The way it affects me, it's kinda like I can hear myself thinking. That's me ... not living in the moment, not being where my feet (are) on earth," Horowitz said. (Timestamp: 24:00) "That's me, worrying about the future, thinking about the past, or thinking about the unknown, and a lot of that is what affects my panic.

"I've learned breathing techniques. I've learned how to cope and different skills”

He also suggested talking with close ones about mental health issues. While managing his mental health well-being, he focuses on his on-field activities.

Horowitz started playing in June this season and has played 59 games, contributing 22 RBIs and 30 runs, with a batting average of .265 and an OPS of .769. As the Blue Jays won the series finale 1-0 on Sunday, saving themselves from a sweep and bringing their record to 58-66, Spencer Horowitz is becoming a significant part of the club.