World Series MVP Bucky Dent

Russell “Bucky” Dent told us that the Silva training helped him in his Major League Baseball career – and that he has recommended the techniques to some of his young players.

Dent and several of his Chicago White Sox teammates took the Silva Method basic course with instructor Rich Hero during spring training in 1975. A pitcher on the team had attended the course the previous year, and it had helped him so much that the club decided to try the course during spring training. The class was even featured on the CBS television program 60 Minutes.

Dent said that the visualization technique helped him with his concentration. “It sharpened it,” he said. “It improved my hitting and fielding, and it helped me to relax before the pressures of a game.”

It must have worked, because in 1978, playing for the New York Yankees, he was named Most Valuable Player in the World Series.

Dent said that he goes to level for 10 to 15 minutes several times a week. “I visualize what I’m going to do or how I want to react.” He added that he spends time at his ideal place of relaxation “to calm myself down.”