Ian Snell Says Depression, Thoughts of Suicide Led to Self-Demotion to Minors

There have been very few stranger soap operas in baseball this year than the Ian Snell saga in Pittsburgh. Expected to be one of the Pirates' top starters after signing a contract extension before the 2008 season, Snell has struggled on the mound in the past two seasons, posting 5.00-plus ERAs and struggling with his control. It all came to a head about a week ago when Snell asked the Pirates to be demoted, then gave a strange impromptu press conference where he lashed out at reporters and bloggers and talked about his need to get away from the negative atmosphere of Pittsburgh.

On Sunday, Snell struck out 17 hitters in seven innings in his first start back in Triple-A. Wednesday, he talked to Indianapolis TV station WTHR and revealed that he's been battling depression and actually contemplated suicide about a month ago. He says he wanted the trip to Indianapolis to help clear his head because it's somewhere he's always liked pitching, having thrown a no-hitter with the Indians back in 2005.

As a Pirate fan and as one of the bloggers that Snell lashed out at (I'll certainly admit to being critical of Snell on my own personal blog), hearing this from Snell is a pretty sobering thing. It's always easy to read quotes from players, watch them perform, listen to them talk, and assume that you know what's going through their minds. That's certainly not always the case. Snell is the fourth big-league player to openly admit to dealing with these sorts of issues this year, with Khalil Greene, Dontrelle Willis and Joey Votto spending time on the disabled list for stress and anxiety reasons.

In the end, Snell's relationship with the Pirates may be damaged irreparably, and he may or may not ever pitch for them again. Whatever the case, I hope this trip to the minors helps him clear his head a little bit. It's always scary to hear of anyone dealing with the issues he has.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

7-02-2009 @ 8:31PM

su said...

Anybody that understands What Depression is and what it can do to a persons well being.... would also understand what this guy was going through. for those who dont have a clue about this illness and are ready to start stigamatizing because its a mental illness and it ain't them.... dont! nobodys invincible from anything ever happening to them, or anybody in their family.... including they're children. so choose your words carefully.

7-02-2009 @ 8:55PM

David Vogelmann said...

Hell yeah man, well said.

7-02-2009 @ 8:41PM

Bill said...

Maybe Ian needs a change of scenery. The Phillies could definitely use some pitching!

7-08-2009 @ 3:04PM

WHATZ UP? said...

TO MAKE A TRADE WITH THE PIRATES IS EASY. GIVE THAT GUY NAMED JOE AND AN OLD DOOR KNOB. WERE GOING FOR THE RECORD THIS YEAR. 17 STRAIGHT YEARS OF FINISHING UNDER 500.THEY NEED TO GET RID OF ANY BODY WHO CAN HIT, RUN, THROW CATCH AND MOST OF ALL ANY BODY WHO CAN WIN. THE AAA PITTSBURGH PIRATES. SOUNDS NICE DONT IT?

Matt Snyder said...

Thanks, Fred. Taken care of.

7-02-2009 @ 9:04PM

duffysnow said...

Ian hang in there Dude! There are a lot people on your side pulling for you. You'd do well in St Louis too!

ronkk9 said...

ive suferd all my life with this dis order. i commend this base ball star. 4 shareing that we are not some kinda nuts. kelly

7-02-2009 @ 9:36PM

corbetttkc said...

Depression is an awful illness. It sucks the life out of you. You become a different person during depression. I pray that Ian gets the help he needs. Medication and therapy are wonderful remedies. Jesus was the Hope that I clung to during this dark time in my life. He got me through it!

forestmillers said...

Depression can be like being seasick for months on end, with no land in sight. Insomnia is a frequent symptom, and it is a killer (Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger). People say "I understand depression, I just can't imagine anyone being able to kill themselves." Well, you really have no clue, because thats what it is.

7-02-2009 @ 9:47PM

bobbyglee said...

A good friend of mine suffered from this for a long time. May Ian snell overcome this illness and get back to enjoying life and pitching well. He can find a home somewhere if he straightens himself out. Good luck Ian.

7-02-2009 @ 9:59PM

candie said...

Actually, I find this article to be very well written. For someone who found themselves not liking Ian very much, then finding out exactly what he was going through. I think that this article could serve as a nice apology from Pat Lackey. I hope for the very best in Ian's future endeavors, and pray that everyone will find themselves a good understanding of other people's views on the situation.

7-02-2009 @ 10:04PM

taripin said...

DEPRESSION IS AN AWFUL WORD JUST LIKE WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD CANCER, IT IS SCARY AND IT HURTS EVERYBODY!!!! I WILL PRAY FOR YOU IAN AND I HOPE YOU GET THE HELP YOU DESERVE AND GET BACK ON TRACK AND ENJOY YOUR LIFE LIKE YOU SHOULD. TAKE CARE GET WELL AND BE HAPPY AGAIN WITH YOURSELF. HANG IN THERE AND DON'T GIVE UP, THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE FOR EVERYONE
GOD BLESS YOU!!!!

7-02-2009 @ 10:31PM

Sandra Dee said...

IS THAT YOU JI
JIM THOME?

7-02-2009 @ 10:41PM

Big G said...

dude we love you.. don't harm yourself.. time heals ALL wounds.. trust me man I had more than anyone.. You made it to the Majors I didn't but wanted to- I've changed careers so many times I didn't even know how to identify with myself. But! You have to stay positive, speak to God, it's very good to do this and you can talk to him just like you would anyone else. He is listening. Now, rise up my brother and live on, and live strong. Now turn that downward energy upwards and let's see what you can do for this world- many of us are hurting.. Heal and let heal

7-02-2009 @ 10:47PM

lily53196 said...

And this is news because?? Depression is a disease that effects people of all races, all socio-economic groups, and favors no genders. Millions of people cope with this disease daily and many have learned to live productive lives once they get they learn to manage their depression, which is't an easy fix. But why the fuss here?

7-02-2009 @ 10:48PM

rockangel16v said...

Good article. Depression really is a serious illness. I am also going through a pretty severe case of depression right now. It's definitely nothing to joke about and it's so difficult to talk about. I pray Ian gets exactly what he needs to help him through such a bad time.

7-02-2009 @ 10:50PM

frankjl66 said...

It just goes to show you that professional ball players are human .I have known many people who have battled depression and it is awful to see the effects depression has. I applaud Ian for his courage in telling his story and only wish the best for him

7-02-2009 @ 10:55PM

bixyrod said...

Ian come to the dodgers! we'll take you! I know what it feels like to have depression..hang in there and keep talking to those you trust and love you..

7-02-2009 @ 11:18PM

pjgard64 said...

i think all the pirates are suffering from some sort of deprission because of allthe trades of the good players. pittsburg has been rebuilding for the past 19 years. if the would have kept all the players they traded over the years they could of been contenders. there just afarm system for all the other teams.

7-02-2009 @ 11:25PM

reasontoo said...

i have depression, have had it for over 10 yrs on/off. i love baseball, and is a huge fan of the game. the recent string of baseball players complaining about depression and stress related issues is absolute garbage. these are all multi-millionaires who have been handled with kid gloves for years through the minors moving up to the majors. money doesn't equal happiness, but it sure as hell solves a whole bunch of damn problems. there are people who are unemployed after being employed at the same lousy factory for 20-30 years, and they don't know how to put food on the table tomorrow for their kids, wife and families. these baseball players don't know what depression is, and they have absolutely no right to complain about anything. you get paid millions for playing a game, anything else is secondary. you have it all. suck it the hell up, and be a man.

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