Lessons From the Indians’ 22 Game Winning Streak
Summary: Winning streaks in baseball are fueled by confidence, focus, and immersion in the game. Players on a hot streak feel unstoppable—pitchers command the strike zone, hitters find gaps with ease, and teams play loose with the belief they can always win. But the biggest threat to a streak is overthinking it.
Being in the middle of a winning streak or being in the zone is the desire of all baseball players.
When you are riding the wave of peak performance, baseball is exciting. You can’t wait to go to the park.
In the midst of a win streak, pitchers feel they can hit the corners on demand… Their pitches have great movement… They feel locked in and feel they can get any hitter out.
When a hitter is on a streak, they feel they can get the bat on every pitch… They feel they can drive the ball hard and find the gaps… Each game they KNOW they will get a hit.
A team on a winning streak feels loose… The game is fun… And they feel, even if they are trailing late in the game, that they can score enough runs to win the game.
When you are in the Middle of a Streak, you are Totally Immersed in the Game
But lurking in the shadows is the enemy of the streak which is conscious thought about the streak.
Hyper-awareness of how you are performing causes you to think about what you are doing rather than just doing it. It pulls you out of the mindset that has kept the streak in motion.
You may even start to fear the end of the streak. Fear about the streak ending or about ‘what might happen’ in the future further pulls you out of the present moment.
The 2017 Cleveland Indians have the longest winning streak, 22 games, in American League history and the longest in baseball in 82 years.
The Indians also have a “don’t talk about it” rule. The Indians are just focused on playing and immersing themselves in the game.
BRUCE: “We’re so focused. Everyone [outside of the team] talks about the [streak] and being consumed with it, but what consumes us is the daily schedule and the game we have to get ready for… Our focus tends to stay so right where we are and then move to the next, and then move to the next. We don’t have time to worry about what happened in the past and we definitely don’t have time to worry about what could happen in the future.”
The streak is not the important thing to focus one for the Indians.
What matters most to the Cleveland players, the biggest contributing factor to the streak itself, is showing up to the park prepared to work, playing the game, moving on after the game, then getting ready to play the next game.
This formula has proved to be successful for producing peak play by not just the Indians but other players and teams that have had long stretches of peak performance.
A Tip for Keeping a Streak Going:
Forget about keeping a streak going.
A streak is merely one game played at your peak repeated over time. Focus on playing the current game, not the probability of losing.
Prepare to work, play your best then move on. Yesterday’s game no longer matters in the grand scheme of things and tomorrow’s game cannot be played today.
Your goal should be to be fully engaged in performing your best in the moment–one pitch at a time.
Remember, consistent mental preparation leads to consistent performance.
5 Tips to Stay Locked In During a Winning Streak
1. Focus Only on Today’s Game
Don’t get caught up in how long the winning streak will last. The only game that truly matters is the one being played right now.
2. Detach From Past and Future Outcomes
Yesterday’s victory is already behind you, and tomorrow’s game can’t be won today. Staying in the present moment reduces pressure and sharpens focus.
3. Stick to Consistent Routines
Pre-game and in-game routines create stability during high-pressure stretches. Rituals help athletes stay grounded and maintain peak performance.
4. Play Loose and Enjoy the Game
Treat competition as fun. Staying relaxed allows confidence to flow naturally, which fuels strong and consistent performances.
5. Control What You Can Control
Shift focus to effort, preparation, and execution. By blocking out streaks, stats, and outside distractions, athletes maximize their mental game.
Learn about all my mental preparation strategies for ball players here…
Related Sports Psychology Articles:
- Developing A Winning Mindset to Overcome Adversity
- What Does it Mean to Be a Team Player?
- Letting Go of Mistakes in Competition
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FAQ: The Indian’s Mentality During a Winning Streak
Q: What makes winning streaks so exciting for players?
A: Streaks create confidence, energy, and flow. Pitchers feel they can hit their spots, hitters believe they’ll connect with every pitch, and teams play loose and fearless.
Q: Why does overthinking hurt performance during a streak?
A: Becoming hyper-aware of the streak or fearing its end shifts focus away from the present, causing hesitation and breaking the natural flow.
Q: How did the Cleveland Indians maintain their record streak?
A: By avoiding talk about the streak, focusing on preparation, and approaching each game as a fresh challenge without worrying about the past or future.
Q: What’s the best way for athletes to keep a streak alive?
A: Stop thinking about the streak itself and concentrate only on performing in the current game, one pitch and one play at a time.
Q: What role does mental preparation play in streaks?
A: Consistent mental routines and preparation build the foundation for consistent performance, which naturally produces streaks over time.
Dr. Patrick Cohn is an expert mental performance coach who has helped athletes for over 30 years enhance their performance. Dr. Cohn earned a master’s degree in sports psychology from CSUF and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, specializing in Applied Sports Psychology.