Ian Snell Describes Personal Struggles

by cocktailsfor2 on Jul 1, 2009 11:03 PM EDT

Link to interview with video HERE. Snell says his battle with depression caused him to request a demotion. He also says he has contemplated suicide.

I know most of us, if not all of us, spent some time criticizing Ian Snell this season (and last), but true depression is something that should be taken very seriously.

Perhaps going back to a "familiar place," - Indianapolis - will be therapeutic for him. I hope to see him turn it around.

[Yikes. I wish all the best to Ian, obviously, and hope he can get his thoughts together. Some of his actions and comments the past couple weeks make a little more sense now. -Charlie]

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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Comments

Ok is this the Vince Young of Baseball.

Pow Right In The Kisser!

by Cutch is the chosen one! on Jul 1, 2009 11:05 PM EDT reply actions

I Really Feel Bad For The Guy Now

I hope he makes it back to the big show.

by Androgen Jar Jimmy on Jul 1, 2009 11:14 PM EDT reply actions

I'd have to be convinced

the guy really knows what depression is before I can take him seriously. Occasionally I feel sad, and occasionally when I’m driving down the highway I wonder what it would be like to steer my car into a tree. But that’s not the same thing as being unable to get out of bed.

by bucdaddy on Jul 1, 2009 11:19 PM EDT reply actions

hilarious

i agree

fee fie foh fum. i think i smell the scent of a placenta.

by omar moreno on Jul 3, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

My prayers are with him.

by Gorkys n' Beans on Jul 1, 2009 11:49 PM EDT reply actions

Absolutely

My prayers are also with him. Let’s hope he gets professional counseling as well to deal with his depression and thoughts of suicide.

by Illinois Pirate Fan on Jul 2, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions

For Whom The Snell Tolls

Seriously though, I hope he finds some sort of inner peace. As someone who has struggled with bouts of depression in the past, I sympathize.

I'm droppin' flava, my behavior is hereditary--but my technique is very necessary.

by phillybucco on Jul 2, 2009 12:01 AM EDT reply actions

Wow!

I didn’t know it was that serious, as I’m sure nobody did. Maybe he needs to get away from baseball for a while because after all, baseball is just a game, and is nothing in the grand scheme of things. My prayers are with him and honestly, if he decides not to step away for a little while and continues to pitch right now, a change of scenery would probably do him wonders—for baseball and his life.

by mspirate on Jul 2, 2009 12:42 AM EDT reply actions

I would like

Snell to know that I’ve been pretty damned depressed watching him pitch for two years.

by bucdaddy on Jul 2, 2009 1:03 AM EDT reply actions

That reporter

Best of luck to Snell. Always been a supporter even though watching him not fully harness his talent is frustrating.

But that sports guy? Sheeeeit. Can’t wait til I have a few more years experience under my belt, I’m taking his job.

by rollingdise423 on Jul 2, 2009 1:12 AM EDT reply actions

Dejan thinks that

the reporter took Snell’s words for more than what they meant.

> An Indianapolis TV station takes an awful lot of leeway with an Ian Snell quote about not wanting to “take my life from myself,” and the author describes that as Snell contemplating suicide.

As someone who knows Snell a lot better than any Indianapolis TV person, I can tell you he talks in dramatic terms quite a bit, including saying things like that. Not that anyone should ever lightly dismiss such a topic, but this sounds extremely out of context and out of character to me. I have spoken with Snell a couple times this week. He sounds just fine.

http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/pbc/archive/2009/07/02/morning-links-embarrassing-anyone.aspx

North Side Notch

by northsidenotch on Jul 2, 2009 1:31 AM EDT reply actions

Well, Since Dejan Is A Certified Psychotherapist

We should believe him.

by Androgen Jar Jimmy on Jul 2, 2009 2:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Lots of people suffering from depression “sound just fine”, Dejan.

by matskralc on Jul 2, 2009 6:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Exactly my thought.

Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!

by JustinM on Jul 2, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions

well

regardless of whether the quote was in context or not, Snell has always been one of my favorites despite the struggles. I for one am rooting for you, Snell.

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Jul 2, 2009 2:20 AM EDT reply actions

But what about this paragraph

But Triple-A hasn’t been much of a challenge for Snell. But why is he playing at this level? Snell says he’s doing it to save his life. A month ago, he says he contemplated suicide.

Out of context?

by ludwigthe9th on Jul 2, 2009 3:20 AM EDT reply actions

Name

me one Pirate fan the past 20 years who doesn’t have problems with depression. We should all feel bad for poor little Ian with his fat wallet and sensitive ears…

Seriously though, I know many people who have had problems with depression, but the thing is when someone like a celebrity/athlete says they have a problem with depression, it’s so hard to believe them because they have the life that everyone is envious of. Plus there is no physical/tangible evidence to prove a legit problem, so how do you believe the guy. The blame game he plays constantly makes me believe this is just another notch to his belt.

by Danatural08 on Jul 2, 2009 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

Actually

I wouldnt be surprised to find the rate of celebrities diagnosed with depression is greater than teh rate of rest of America. Depression, as the Zoloft commercials have taught us, is a disease that affects the chemicals of the brain (specifically serotonine) and is described as feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and sadness lasting more than 2 weeks. It is found to be linked to genetics, but so have many other mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and general anxiety disorder. But having a gene means an increased risk of having depression, and that its not a guarantee. Major stress (such as failure to succeed in a very high profile job), changes in life, and a pessimistic personality can all lead to depression as well. Ian did say he was struggling will all the pessimism surrounding him, so a change of scenery, as several other people have noted, maybe exactly what he needs. Depression is a serious issue that can severely affect someones life as I’ve personally seen. My thoughts and prayers are with Ian and his family in hopes he can recover, and if he is suffering from clinical depression, which can definitely affect every aspect of one’s life, including work obviously, then I would like to see him seek immediate professional help as it would most decidedly be the most effective treatment.

by glass0941 on Jul 2, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions

I believe him. The normal things that you would think would make someone “sad” or “unhappy” are often not at all the type of internal issues that bring on depression. I need to read and hear more for myself, but my initial thought is that I believe him and hope he gets some help.

RIP NATE. RIP TONY PLUSH.

"IF I WASN'T A BASEBALL PLAYER...I'D BE A SHERIFF"

-TONY PLUSH

by GTrain on Jul 2, 2009 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

I know some people on here

scream any time someone makes a comment about someone’s mental health, but even if it isn’t depression, I think he would benefit greatly from any kind of mental health care. Hell, I’d probably benefit greatly from it…

I'm droppin' flava, my behavior is hereditary--but my technique is very necessary.

by phillybucco on Jul 2, 2009 10:08 AM EDT reply actions

Also

there is a misconception that mental health issues are a sign of weakness or a shameful thing, but say you broke your leg or you discovered you had diabetes. You’d go to a doctor and get treatment. Mental health care is no different. For some reason, we attach an unfair stigma to it, but it is a valid and legitimate health concern.

This negative view seems to be magnified in sports because athletes are supposed to be “manly men” and brimming with confidence, and they have tons of money. Truth is, this kind of thing affects people in every walk of life, so it doesn’t matter if you lead an “envious” lifestyle or unbelievable wealth—if you’ve got mental health issues, you’ve got mental health issues.

I'm droppin' flava, my behavior is hereditary--but my technique is very necessary.

by phillybucco on Jul 2, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

All that is very true

But without serious clinic analysis of his condition to see if he indeed has a problem, it’s hard not to wonder if Snell is playing drama queen a little too. When I heard the quote this was lifted from, he was speaking in such a convoluted way it was hard to know just what he was talking about.

by bucdaddy on Jul 2, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Well

admitting you have a problem is the first step, so maybe he’ll go through with it… if not, there’s nothing anybody can do. I don’t doubt a little drama queenishness is involved, but I still think he’d benefit from some counseling.

I'm droppin' flava, my behavior is hereditary--but my technique is very necessary.

by phillybucco on Jul 2, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions

How do you know he hasn’t received any sort of treatment?

by PensFan024 on Jul 2, 2009 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't but I'm not a huge dick like you?

I'm droppin' flava, my behavior is hereditary--but my technique is very necessary.

by phillybucco on Jul 2, 2009 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's hoping Snell gets right

by vanslyke on Jul 2, 2009 10:09 AM EDT reply actions

Last week

everyone was burning Snell jerseys in a fury, due his comments, now we’re forming prayer groups feeling bad for the guy, due to his comments. You guys know gulible is written on the ceiling? Seriously I think some of you are sitting at home with a $5,000 bill from QVC because you’re such an easy sell. Snell’s just a desperate athlete who’s looking for attention/sypathy, why give it to him?

by Danatural08 on Jul 2, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

He's still a human being?

I'm droppin' flava, my behavior is hereditary--but my technique is very necessary.

by phillybucco on Jul 2, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

wow

Is this really a topic that needs so much anger in discussing it? How about we all just have some support and empathy on the chance that he is seriously depressed? If he’s not depressed, we haven’t really lost anything. However, if he is depressed and we all make comments like this, that certainly cannot do positive things for his mindset (assuming he sees them).

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Jul 2, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Last week, nobody thought he was contemplating suicide.

www.sixtyftsixin.com

by Sixty Feet, Six Inches on Jul 2, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I believe him

I went thru a bout of clinical depression some 10+ years ago, and came out of it all right with the help of some counseling. I sincerely hope Ian is able to do the same, even if he never throws another pitch in the majors again.

others have noted the “stigma” associated with this kind of thing, but if you think about it, seeking treatment for depression (counseling with or without meds) is no different from any other kind of treatment or preventive maintenance, whether its diabetes or simply changing the oil in your car at regular intervals. hopefully Ian gets whatever help he needs.

by gonfalon on Jul 2, 2009 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

Greinke

Just a note that, during the game Sunday, the guys on the radio were mentioning Snell’s troubles in terms of Greinke’s. It seemed that they were speculating pretty broadly, but I think they were serious that Snell’s issues might be deeper-seated than just “attitude.”

It’d be nice if some serious counseling and maybe medication could get him right – mostly being selfish as a fan, but obviously it would only be good for Ian.

by JRoth95 on Jul 2, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

If the problems are deeper-seated than attitude, and similiar to what Greinke's are,

the GM really made a gaffe by saying Snell’s contract was a mistake. Because he should have been saying we are getting him the help he needs-health first, pitching second. If they don’t think his problems are out of his control, just give him an opportunity to walk away from the contract-or buy him out like the Dodgers did with Andruw Jones, and release him. No more Snell drama, at least in Pittsburgh.

She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.

by jillsinmo on Jul 2, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions

The GM May Not Have Known

And even if Neal did know, it’s not exactly easy to make someone get help if they’re not 100% into the idea. You can’t make someone want to get better.

How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?

One, but the light bulb has to truly want to change.

by Androgen Jar Jimmy on Jul 2, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Tough Profession

Anyone who thinks being a professional athlete is easy is mistaken. You spend your energies trying to get to the show, and then you spend the rest of your time looking over your shoulder. Unfortunately, Snell is in a ruthless profession. But it is entirely up to him to seek assistance if he is suffering. Neal Huntington is here to make the Pirates a winner, not go around making sure everyone is happy. I do believe if Snell went to him or JR, they would do whatever they could to help him. Where were his fellow players? I see this as similar to the pitcher with a sore arm. It is up to that player to seek assistance. I hope Ian can get it together, but I agree with those who feel the first steps are his.

by Batavia on Jul 2, 2009 7:10 PM EDT reply actions