Four-time American League All–Star George Springer III found his passion for baseball well before he heard his name called with the 11th overall selection in the 2011 MLB Draft.
Ever since his parents – George Jr. and Laura – ensured his participation in Little League® when he was growing up in Connecticut, George Springer III has excelled on baseball diamonds at various levels ranging from his college days at the University of Connecticut to the major leagues.
While George Jr. did not get to play in the major leagues himself, he did have the opportunity to play on one of the world’s biggest stages as a member of the Bristol, Connecticut, team that played in the 1976 Little League Baseball® World Series.
“He is so proud to have played in (the Little League Baseball World Series),” said George Springer III in a 2016 interview. “To have played there (at Lamade Stadium) and to say, ‘This is the field that I played on.’ He talks about it all the time.”
Now entering his 10th MLB season, Springer III is a veteran leader on a Toronto Blue Jays team. The MVP of the 2017 World Series, he offers power and valuable postseason experience to the Blue Jays lineup as the team looks to improve upon its Wild Card Round exit in last year’s postseason.
Notably, Springer III cemented his place in baseball history on Opening Day in 2018 by becoming the first player ever to hit leadoff home runs on consecutive Opening Days.
In addition to his efforts on the field, Springer III continues to serve as a role model for children throughout the world off the field as well.
Since 2014, he has been a national spokesperson for SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young, a nonprofit organization providing support, advocacy and life-changing programs for young people who stutter. SAY offers programs that allow ample opportunity for children to grow their confidence, build impactful relationships, and create lifelong memories with people from diverse backgrounds and communities.
During the 2017 MLB All-Star Game, Springer III – who himself is a person who stutters – wore a microphone while playing his position in left field while talking with play-by-play announcer Joe Buck and analyst John Smoltz. Springer III revealed to reporters after the game he agreed to wear the microphone and speak openly on live television to inspire other people who stutter.
Throughout his upbringing, Springer III used baseball to blossom into an exceptional player and leader.
“I remember just about everything from my Little League experience,” he previously told Little League. “It was awesome. I got a chance to play on (high-quality) fields and stadiums as a kid. We got to play under the lights and have fun playing the game. It is fun to know that my sisters and I were all in the same league, representing our town, getting a shot to play. My advice for Little Leaguers is to enjoy it. Have fun playing this great game. Enjoy every second of it. The game, as you get older, it gets harder. But the most important thing is that you have fun.”