The Grip

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

In this first book in the semi-autobiographical middle grade series from MLB pitcher Marcus Stroman, a young baseball player learns that perfect games only come with a lot of practice—and some strikeouts.

Everyone is telling Marcus Stroman he will make the elite playing team. They all think he can do it. But what happens when doubt grips Marcus and makes him feel like he might not?

It’s easy to forget that for every professional sports player there was a kid just learning that sport and dealing with nerves and shaky confidence. MLB player Marcus Stroman is one of the few professional athletes to address the need for and importance of mental health, and in this new series, he reaches out to kids with a semi-autobiographical character who deals with doubts, literally learns how to breathe, and does some hard work to dig deep and hear his own voice.

About the Author

Marcus Stroman was born and raised in Medford, New York, where he attended Patchogue-Medford High School. Drafted by the Washington Nationals in the eighteenth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft, Marcus opted to delay the start of his professional career and instead chose to attend Duke University to further his education. Marcus has pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets and now plays for the Chicago Cubs. Off the field, Marcus is passionate about his work with the community through his charitable foundation HDMH (Height Doesn’t Measure Heart), where he helps kids achieve their own dreams and to instill confidence in themselves. Through his idea of believing in yourself more than believing in what anyone says about you, Marcus strives to be a positive role model both on and off the field. Marcus has always believed in himself and has proven wrong all his critics at every step of his journey. He is known for his determination not only on the field, but in bettering himself off the field and building his confidence in whatever he sets out to do. He hopes to instill that same confidence in kids.