MESA, Ariz. — Matt Joyce’s dad, also named Matt, tried all kinds of ways to motivate his son as a youngster in the Tampa, Fla., area.
Dad would create little competitions — he’d park his truck behind the outfield wall during games and tell the younger Matt he’d pay him $100 if he hit the truck. The first time Joyce’s father did so, Joyce parked a home right into the bed of truck in his first at-bat.
More often, though, the elder Joyce could be heard yelling at his son, including the time he hollered, “You’re swinging like a girl!