"She went back and watched video, but the only thing she focused on was my face," Buxton said. "She was like, 'You need to smile.' And you know what, she was right. That's who I am. I'm happy. My nickname other than Buck has always been Smiley."
Buxton, 23, made it a point to stop thinking so much and simply have fun in September, and the results finally came. The five-tool center fielder hit .287/.357/.653 with nine homers and 22 RBIs over his final 29 games.
"If I don't think, I play a whole lot better," Buxton said.