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McLouth is trying to keep all of the praise in perspective. \u201cI just don\u2019t read it,\u201d he says, although he admits avoidance can be difficult. \u201cThe Internet makes it harder. Friends will email me stuff.\u201d<\/p>\nCHICAGO, IL (July 14, 2008) \u2013 Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Nate McLouth has been called the best centerfielder in the National League by sportswriters. His fellow players are of the same opinion and recently voted him to the league\u2019s All-Star squad for Tuesday night\u2019s game.
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\nMcLouth is trying to keep all of the praise in perspective. \u201cI just don\u2019t read it,\u201d he says, although he admits avoidance can be difficult. \u201cThe Internet makes it harder. Friends will email me stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n
The attention won\u2019t force the All-Star to alter his game, he says. \u201cI just do what I always do. There\u2019s no sense in changing things now.\u201d<\/p>\n
What McLouth always does is exhibit an innate patience, perseverance, and work ethic that have been further inspired by his faith and family. McLouth, who grew up attending Whitehall Covenant Church in Whitehall, Michigan, also is making sure others benefit from his success.<\/p>\n
McLouth discusses his playing career in a matter-of-fact fashion but his eyes brighten and he becomes animated when talking about his \u201cLucky 13\u201d club, which is based on his uniform number. He has worked with the Pirates to host 13 kids from the Imani Christian Academy one game every home stand. The students attend the game and meet the players.<\/p>\n
McLouth has been impressed with the school, which educates K-12 students, many who are from at-risk homes. \u201cThey teach them the Word,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Attending church can be difficult on the road during the season, but McLouth tries to have a Bible study each week with third-base coach Tony Beasley. The team has a chapel service when it is playing home games.<\/p>\n
Scripture is a constant companion for McLouth. When asked about how he avoids temptation while on the road, McLouth gets up from the table and walks over to his locker and returns with his wallet. He pulls out a sheet of paper on which is typed Hebrews 4:13\u2014\u201cNothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.\u201d<\/p>\n
McLouth often goes straight to his hotel room after games. \u201cI like being on the road,\u201d he says. \u201cIt gives me a lot of time to be in my room by myself. It gives me the opportunity to reflect.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to represent my family well,\u201d McLouth says. \u201cPeople see everything you do. I never want to embarrass them.\u201d<\/p>\n
That sense of obligation also contributes to a work ethic that players and coaches admire. His high-school coach, Warren Zeigle, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette<\/em> that, \u201cThe thing that struck you about Nate wasn\u2019t just his talent. It was the way he applied himself, how hard he worked to learn and get better at everything.\u201d<\/p>\n McLouth knows how hard success is to come by, and how rare it is in the game that is filled with life lessons. \u201cI\u2019m really blessed to be in the position I\u2019m in,\u201d McLouth says. \u201cI owe it to everyone else who hasn\u2019t been blessed to do what I do.\u201d<\/p>\n He echoes the words of a former Pittsburgh Pirates great third baseman and outfielder Bobby Bonilla, who once said, \u201cWe play a game of failure. When you fail 70 percent of the time [at the plate], failure doesn’t really enter in your mind. To be successful in our game, you can’t think about failing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn baseball, there\u2019s so much failure involved,\u201d McLouth says. \u201cEvery day it is a part of your life. All that failure can make it tough.\u201d He adds, \u201cWithout faith, it would be impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite a season that has made people around the league take notice of his talent, McLouth has had his struggles. He began the season batting .391. He then went into a slump before returning to form. When the tough times come, McLouth says, \u201cI just try to remember how long the season is,\u201d referring to the 162-game schedule. He adds, however, \u201cIt\u2019s not as easy as it sounds.\u201d<\/p>\n He is entering the game with All-Star performances. He has not committed an error all season. In the eight games preceding the break, McLouth has gone 11-for-36 with four home runs, five doubles, and 12 RBIs.<\/p>\n He has 19 home runs, the fourth highest of any centerfielder in the majors. His 65 RBIs is second only to Texas Rangers Josh Hamilton at that position. McLouth has knocked 33 doubles\u2014 three more than any player in the National League.<\/p>\n A little-considered stat, however, is indicative of McLouth\u2019s character. He ranks seventh among National League hitters in pitches forced. It is testament to his patience at the plate, which also has been necessary in his journey from high school to the major leagues, when he sometimes was overlooked despite success.<\/p>\n McLouth was a high-school standout. He batted .514 as a senior and went 51 for 51 in steals but had to share the Mr. Baseball honors as Michigan\u2019s top amateur, and USA Today<\/em> gave him only an honorable mention on its All-America list.<\/p>\n McLouth actually made his way up from the minors in a relatively quick three years, but riding all those buses and less than first-rate hotels \u201cseemed like an eternity,\u201d he says. The kid from the small town of Whitehall says he tries not to be star-struck when playing on the same field as legends he has watched while growing up. There are moments he will remember, however.\u00a0 \u201cPlaying against Ken Griffey Jr.\u2014that was special.\u201d<\/p>\n Having a sense of one\u2019s own talent is key to a player\u2019s success, especially when facing the league\u2019s top talent. \u201cYou have to tell yourself you\u2019re as good as them,\u201d McLouth says. Coming from McLouth, that isn\u2019t arrogance. It\u2019s just the way the game must be approached.<\/p>\n It\u2019s always about perspective for McLouth, who emphasizes more than hard work and a determined attitude that has brought him his current success. \u201cGod gave me this game as a gift.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nWhen he did get called up to the majors, the team\u2019s manager and coaches at the time still had doubts about him, despite his excellent play. That changed when management changed coaches, who gave him a legitimate shot at the position in spring training.<\/p>\n