WASHINGTON 鈥� He may be better known for reading signals from his catcher while on the mound at Nationals Park, but Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg took some time to read a story to young fans at Anacostia Library on Saturday morning.
Strasburg read “The Baseball Adventure of Jackie Mitchell: Girl Pitcher vs. Babe Ruth,” a story of a girl pitching against longtime home run king and New York Yankee legend Babe Ruth.
鈥淪he was a pitcher, a mighty good pitcher,鈥� Strasburg read to the young fans. 鈥淭he question was: Was she good enough to play against the New York Yankees?鈥�
He offered the question to the crowd, who returned with a quick, “yes.”
Strasburg spoke about his love of reading from a young age and his daughter鈥檚 big appetite for stories and books.
鈥淪he鈥檚 really into reading,鈥� Strasburg told the crowd. 鈥淚 would say it鈥檚 four or five books a night before she falls asleep.鈥�
And what she鈥檚 reading is mostly what Strasburg has been reading lately.
鈥淧retty much toddler books: Daniel Tiger, Doc McStuffins, Pout-Pout Fish.鈥�
No matter the book, he said that he thinks聽reading can play a big role in growing up.
鈥淩eading is so important. It鈥檚 so much better than sitting in front of the TV or playing video games all of the time,鈥� Strasburg stated.
Strasburg said when he was younger, he liked reading “Goosebumps,” “The Da Vinci Code,” and “James and the Giant Peach.” He also noted that reading helped him get a better understanding of the history of baseball, making him a better pitcher.
Fans at the event got free books from the library and autographs from Strasburg.
