WORCESTER, Mass. — Worcester Red Sox infielder Vaughn Grissom was a 21-year-old rookie with the Atlanta Braves playing in the NLCS against the Phillies.

Philadelphia won the series, but Grissom gained valuable experience.

"It was awesome. It's one of those series that you want to be a part of," said Grissom. "Both teams, the Phillies and the Braves, had some of the best players to ever play on the field. Being a young guy out there, there was a lot to learn, a lot to take in. It was fun to get those early at bats in my career in a playoff situation like that."

When asked how important the mental side of the game is, especially with so much failure in the sport, Grissom said, "I think it's super important, the mental side probably separates the best from the mediocre."