Baseball Youth - The Nation's Baseball Magazine for KIDS

National News: Nate the Great

December 02, 2009

Atlanta Braves center fielder Nate McLouth talks baseball, video games and sushi with our kid reporter

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Playing last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, outfielder Nate McLouth had the kind of season to jump-start a career. He was a National League All-Star and won the Rawlings Gold Glove award at his position.

Besides the awards, Nate had career bests in every offensive category as he hit 26 home runs, had 94 RBIs and stole 23 bases. He also led the National League with 46 doubles.

Just two months into this season, the Pirates traded McLouth to the Atlanta Braves. By getting McLouth, the Braves added a player with home run power, a great glove and speed on the base paths.

Nine-year-old Tyler Gardner had the chance to talk to McLouth before a game in July, and he learned the Braves also got an avid video game player and a sushi lover out of the trade.

Tyler Gardner: How many years have you been playing baseball?

Nate McLouth: I’ve been playing baseball since as long as I can remember, since I was probably 5 or 6.

TG: Did you play on a travel team when you were growing up?

NM: When I was younger there really wasn’t that many travel teams like there are now. The first time I played on a travel team was when I was 16 years old.

TG: Who was your favorite MLB team growing up and why?

NM: The Detroit Tigers cause I grew up in Michigan, and that was the team in Michigan. They were pretty good at the time.

TG: If you weren’t a professional baseball player what job would you like to do?

NM: Is there such thing as a professional video game player? If there is, that’s what I’d want to be.

TG: What’s your favorite childhood memory?

NM: Probably all the fun times I had playing ball with my dad in the backyard, and just him teaching me how to play and the rules.

TG: Besides baseball, what are some of your hobbies?

NM: Well, I like to watch movies. I like to read a little bit. I like to play video games like I said. I like to watch TV, stuff like that.

TG: What is your favorite food?

NM: My favorite food is sushi. Do you like sushi?

TG: Well, I’ve never had it before.

NM: I never had sushi until a few years ago, but you’ll try it eventually. It’s pretty good.

TG: Did you play other sports growing up besides baseball?

NM: Yeah I played football and a little bit of basketball.

TG: Who is the best pitcher you’ve ever had to face?

NM: Hmmm … Man I’ve faced a lot of them. Probably Roger Clemens.

TG: What other positions did you play growing up?

NM: I’ve actually played most of them. I think the only position I’ve never played is third base. But I think I’ve played most of the positions like in Little League and stuff like that.

TG:  What advice would you give to a young player who is usually a good hitter but struggling at the plate?

NM: Just to try and stay confident. If you watch any good hitter, they struggle at times cause hitting is a hard thing to do. The more you can trust yourself and trust that you know how to hit, even though you’re not hitting well at the time, then that’s probably the best way to get out of a slump.

TG: With 162 games, how do you find time for yourself and your family?

NM: It’s tough cause we play a game just about every day. After the game and before the game I get a chance to just relax a little bit so that’s nice. Even though I like playing baseball it’s nice to have a little time off.

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