By Jessica Camerato
CSNNE.comFollow @JCameratoNBA
The Major League Baseball season is 162 games long -- throw in Spring Training and the playoffs, and the Red Sox could potentially play ball for nearly an entire year. So with all the games, sometimes played consecutively for more than a week at a time, how do players get amped up for every contest? And when the final out is made, how do they wind down from the adrenaline rush they've experienced during the game?
Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz, Jonathan Papelbon, Marco Scutaro, and Tim Wakefield told CSNNE.com how they get amped up for and wind down from each game.
Adrian Gonzalez
Adrian Gonzalez heads to the batting cages when he wants to get ready for a game. When its all over, he likes to wind down with his favorite lineup of TV shows or books.
Amped up: I like getting loose in the cage. I really don't like to be too hyped up or too amped up just because I want to be calm and under control when I'm playing. I'm not a guy who wants to run through a wall. So for me, it's just going down to the cage, getting my swings in, and getting my swing right. I'm working on the swing that I want to have that game and just focusing on having a good body balance.
Unwind: For my most part, my wife and I just lay on the couch for a little bit until the adrenaline kicks down a little bit. We love to watch King of Queens, we love Friends, Better With You, and Modern Family. Then I'll go and maybe read a little bit. I'll read Christian books or the Bible.
David Ortiz
Music plays an important role in David Ortiz's approach to a game. Take the Home Run Derby as an example, when he asked for the song to be changed during his at bat.
Boston Red Sox
Amped up: "Im always ready for a game. Ill listen to music. It depends what Im in the mood for -- hip-hop, merengue, some salsa, reggaeton. Music always has those lyrics that get you going."
Unwind: "Once the game is over, its over. I guess Ive been doing it for a long time that Im used to it (laughs)."
Jonathan Papelbon
As the Red Sox closer, Jonathan Papelbon spends an entire game preparing himself for just a few batters. Now in his seventh season, he is still searching for ways to wind down from the rush of recording the final out.
Amped up: I really try to get as amped up as I possibly can, but sometimes too amped is not good, so I try to get as amped up as I can and still be able to focus. Sometimes I just close my eyes and try to focus on myself out there being successful. Ill do that in the bullpen.
Unwind: To be totally honest, Ive tried 100 different things and thats the hardest part of my job -- when I get home trying to wind down and actually go to sleep. Most nights Im looking at three or four in the morning before I really actually calm down.
Marco Scutaro
One of the ways Marco Scutaro gets hyped for his next game is by looking back at his previous successes. And while Adrian Gonzalez prefers watching some lighter television to wind down, Scutaro tunes in to a different genre.
Amped Up: Ill probably listen to music, whatever Papi plays (laughs). I like to listen to music and watch some videos before the game. Sometimes Ill put on a video of all my hits from a series when I was swinging the bat well.
Unwind: I go back home and watch some stuff on my iPad. Ill watch a Colombian series, El Capo. Its about the cartel in Colombia, the drug dealers. I watch it to kill time and make my mind tired to go to sleep.
Tim Wakefield
Tim Wakefield has been pitching in the Big Leagues since 1992. After all these years, he finds the best way to get ready for a game is by sticking with a tried and true routine.
Amped up: I dont try to get any more amped than I already am. I do the same thing I do every day. Just because Im pitching doesnt make it any different. I do the same thing every day, even on the days I pitch. I go out and stretch with the pitchers and play catch and kind of burn off some nervous energy outside.
Unwind: I dont unwind, it takes me a while. I have a 30-minute drive home so that helps a little bit. Its quiet time. But other than that, I just try to go to sleep as quick as possible.
Jessica Camerato is on Twitter at http:twitter.com!JCameratoNBA.