Horwitz rocks unique symbol for important cause this Players' Weekend

CHICAGO -- Spencer Horwitz has several tattoos, but one of his smallest has plenty of meaning.

Located on the inner part of Horwitz's right arm are four dots and half a parenthesis, combining to make a smiley face on one side and a sad face on the other, depending how you want to look at it.

Horwitz saw that design online in 2021 and, during a trip to Oregon that year, decided to get the ink.

“Just going through the highs and lows of baseball,” Horwitz explained. “Just trying to keep that even keel… I saw it and it spoke to me.”

Horwitz has been playing in custom green cleats and swinging an orange and yellow bat with that symbol as part of MLB Players’ Weekend. Players are given the opportunity this time of year to show off some personality with custom gear, and Horwitz is using it as a platform to champion mental health awareness.

Horwitz has dealt with anxiety and depression since he was a child, and the openness of those close to him -- family, friends, teammates -- as well as other athletes in the public eye, like Kevin Love, has helped on his journey. Now he wants to help do his part and pay it forward.

“Going through my own struggles with it and seeing family and friends, hearing other athletes talk about it has helped me,” Horwitz said. “I think it’s kind of my job the next few years to do it.”

Horwitz is also partnering with the Charles E. Kubly Foundation, which seeks to improve the lives of those affected by depression. The cleats were done by Stadium Custom Kicks, and the bat by Victus.

It’s a step in what is going to be an ongoing discussion for Horwitz.

“I’m just trying to be a voice for everyone,” Horwitz said. “Hopefully we can have more conversations about it and not just do it for clickbait and not do it out of pity. Do it just to help people.”