M&F Deputy Editor Zack Zeigler recently spent time with New York Mets pitchers Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom to help them with their curveball. Okay, not really. The 6’6″ 240-pound Syndergaard and 6’4″ 180-pound deGrom were on hand courtesy of AXE Hair to run a handful of editors through throwing and hitting drills, and, of course, to remind guys with flowing locks that it’s okay to tame the mane.
“The days I’m pitching, I’ll normally take a shower around 5 o’clock, and then after that, when my hair is still a little wet, I’ll put some of the [AXE] Natural Look in it, put my hat on, and let it air dry,” deGrom explains. “Opposing fans bust on us sometimes [for having long hair], but it’s really not that big of a deal I think, are trying to be funny and … it’s just their way of trying to interact or get a response out us.”
SYNDERGAARD’S PRE-GAME ROUTINE & IN-SEASON TRAINING HABITS
“About two hours before the game I like to find a dark room, put headphones on, and foam roll my entire body for about 30 minutes. Then I’ll go hop in the weight room and do exercises for… glute-activation, hip mobility, and thoracic spine. Usually using bands — nothing too strenuous on the body.
“I’m a bit of a gym rat. I love being in the weight room, getting a work out in … trying to get better, trying to get stronger. It’s relaxing for me. It’s great to work out and lift heavy, but at the same time, pitching is really hard on the body, so it’s really important to stay flexible. I do a lot of yoga in the off-season. I just incorporated pilates into my off-season routine.
“Our strength and conditioning staff is top notch … [but] I’m always in a constant argument with him. Sometimes I go to the clubhouse or to the field and I don’t have much of anything to do. So I just sit there aimlessly wandering around. He’s always trying to hold me back when I’m trying to squat more or do an extra rep.”
deGROM’s PRE-GAME ROUTINE & IN-SEASON TRAINING
“For a 7:10 [p.m.] game, I’ll start at 5:50 … with heat pads, and then getting stretched out by the trainer,” deGrom says. “[That’s] followed by foam rolling, stretching on my own, and then going out on the field and going through a full warm-up program. I normally start in the outfield, so I run out towards second base and back, go on the wall, do some stretches, do the whole static stretching routine.
“During the year my [training] routine is more about maintaining. I do a lot of band stuff for my upper body and shoulders. I don’t want to get muscle-bound or stiff, so I’m big into staying flexible [throughout the season]. The off-season is where I’m trying build strength, but during the year, it’s just maintaining it.”
WHY SYNDERGAARD HIRED A NUTRITIONIST
“When we’re on the road, the clubhouse foods aren’t necessarily the best. Some are comparable to rubber. Every city we go to, [the nutritionist] will seek out a personal chef there, and they will make meals for me according to my nutritional goals. As professional athletes, we should be taking care of our bodies as much as possible.”
