If you look at the teams left in the playoffs, there is one striking similarity in each of them.

They all have an amazing amount of talent to have reached this point, but there is one intangible quality that they all share within the clubhouse.

Each clubhouse is a loose environment, filled with fun and good energy, which ultimately brings out the best from each of their players.  When you’re playing relaxed, you enjoy the game and the talent ends up expressing itself with big hits and big wins.  

The Yankees have always traditionally been a business-like, winning oriented team, but this season they are having a blast.  A.J. Burnett is a light hearted kid, but is as intense as a bull on the mound.  He understands how to have a good time, but is responsible and accountable for his performance.

Nick Swisher is another guy in this mold.  It doesn’t matter how many HR’s he hits, his personality makes the team perform better.  

Torii Hunter’s energy is contagious.  He is the same guy in Anaheim that he was in Minnesota, and winning teams have followed him.  He has fun but plays the game as hard as anyone out there, which rubs off on his teammates.

I’ve played winter ball with James Loney and Matt Kemp, and they love playing the game.  They’ve always had this young positive energy, but now that they have learned more responsibility, their play has taken off.  

It’s also no coincidence that they blossomed with the arrival of Joe Torre and Manny Ramirez, two guys who know a thing or two about winning.  Loney and Kemp are now the leaders of a Dodgers team playing loose and having fun playing October ball.
 
Joe Maddon runs our team in the same way.  I always feel like I can be myself and have fun out there.  I’m like a kid out there playing this game, because of the atmosphere Joe creates.  He understands how to make people responsible and accountable for their actions, which results in a fun winning atmosphere.

Playing in a positive atmosphere enhances all aspects of the game on and off the field.  In the playoffs the stakes are high, and to go out there with a bunch of guys that have fun playing the game, can be the difference between winning it all and going home in 2nd place.- Carlos Pena