The Daily Stoic

Ryan Lavarnway on Sports and Philosophy

Sep 24, 2022

Ryan Lavarnway, a 2013 World Series Champion and Yale philosophy graduate, discusses the intriguing connection between sports and philosophy. He shares insights on the mental challenges in baseball and emphasizes the importance of mindfulness and enjoying the game. Lavarnway reflects on the pressures athletes face, advocating for focus on personal growth over external validation. He also highlights ethical dilemmas in sports and shares personal stories about the highs and lows of being a professional athlete, revealing the journey of transitioning from player to mentor.

01:07:09

Episode guests

Ryan Lavarnway

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

4min

Mindfulness in Baseball: A Champion's Perspective

6min

Pressure and Play: Balancing Athletic Performance and Joy

15min

Stoicism in Sports

6min

Hitting the Ball: Ethics in Sports and Life

19min

From Diamonds to Decisions

13min

The Art of Skill Acquisition and Storytelling

4min

Belonging and the Art of Storytelling in Sports

3min

Ryan talks to professional baseball catcher Ryan Lavarnway about his experience being the only professional baseball player with a philosophy degree from Yale, the intersection of sports and philosophy, the ups and downs of being a professional athlete, and more.

Ryan Lavarnway is the current Detroit Tigers’ Triple A Toledo Mud Hens catcher and 2013 World Series Champion. He has held many valuable experiences, both in and out of the baseball field. A Yale University graduate, Ryan was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2008 where he won a World Series in 2013. Since making his MLB debut in 2011, Ryan has played in 10 MLB seasons for eight different teams. He also first played for Team Israel in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and was named Pool A MVP and rejoined the team for the 2020 Olympics.

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