What's So Special About Springer?: My Favorite Player Forever

George Springer is my favorite baseball player forever. I do not think I've started a post with such a strong and direct statement such as that one! Considering that the majority of sports fans change who their favorite player is every so often, it is uncommon to stick with a favorite player for life. The reason that George Springer is my favorite player forever, is because Springer and I both stutter.

Stuttering, is a speech impediment that involves repeating parts and sounds of words, an inconsistent flow of speech that includes blocks, repetitions, etc. I hate when people call stuttering a disability, because once in a while everybody stutters, mine is just more often and obvious. It is very rare to have something in common with a famous athlete or person in general. I consider it an honor and a privilege to have something in common with a baseball player that not a lot of other people have, considering only one percent of the world's population stutter. To know that a baseball player has gone and is still going through what I'm going through is really neat and cool all at the same time!

George Springer was born in New Britain, Connecticut on September 19th, 1989. Springer hated talking in school and would always be in the back of classes. He would have his sister order his food when his family went out to eat. He would get made fun of regularly and would rely on his parents for encouragement because he did not have many friends. As Springer grew older, his parents decided for him to attend Avon Old Farms, a boarding school for boys, as this would force him to speak more often in classes.

Springer excelled at baseball and was most comfortable on the baseball field. Springer in 2008, led his high school team in almost every offensive category. George then went on to play at Connecticut University and was named the 2011 Big East Player of the Year. He was then selected by the Houston Astros with the 11th overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft. Springer is the main speaker for a stuttering foundation called SAY. He holds an annual bowling event every summer for kids who stutter.

Prior to 2017, I never knew Springer stuttered. I had drafted him on my fantasy team that season not knowing until later during the year. Up to that point in his career, 2017 was Springer's best season which I do not think was a coincidence. He went on to win the World Series MVP and was named an All-Star for the first time. Since the 2017 season, Springer is currently a 3-time All Star and one of the best leadoff hitters in the game. My favorite part of George's game is when he hits a leadoff home run to begin a game or makes a diving catch in center field, I get pretty excited as well as a bit emotional! His effort and energy he shows on the field is amazing.

I try to collect as many George Springer items and memorabilia as I can. As a result, I have a whole box of baseball cards dedicated to him, a jersey, an autographed card, a poster in my room, and a few shirts as well. If I had to choose one famous person to meet I would choose George without thinking twice about it. I have seen Springer play twice in person and he is amazing to watch! He is my motivation some days to keep going even when some days are harder than others. If I am having a rough day or am just in the mood, I will watch his highlights over and over again if need be to cheer me up, as I consider him to be my "stutter buddy", even though I realize that we have never met before. The impact that George has had on my life is something that can never be repaid, as he is one of the people that I look up to the most.

See you at the Ballpark!!!

Adam