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Springer wore mic during ASG to set example for stutterers

Tim Heitman / USA TODAY Sports

When George Springer was asked to wear a microphone during Tuesday's All-Star Game, the Houston Astros outfielder quickly said yes.

Surely, there are more than a few young baseball fans with stutters who were thankful to hear Springer's voice on the air. The 27-year-old accepted the invitation to be mic'd up despite speaking with a stutter, something he's been open about during his entire career.

Springer was interviewed by FOX broadcasters Joe Buck and John Smoltz while playing left field for the American League during the third inning, and appeared to enjoy himself while doing so.

After the game, Springer told reporters he wanted to wear the microphone in order to set an example for others who stutter and may be self-conscious about it.

"I hope so," Springer said, according to Richard Justice of MLB.com. "I can't spread a message to kids and adults if I'm not willing to put myself out there. I understand I'm going to stutter. I don't care. It is what it is. It's not going to stop me from talking and having fun."

Since arriving in the majors in 2014, Springer has volunteered his time as a spokesperson with The Stuttering Association for the Young, and he hosts an annual bowling tournament to benefit the organization.

"The main goal for me is to keep showing kids and adults that you can be who you are and do whatever it is that you want to do, if that's speaking in front of a camera or talking in front of a group of people, you can do whatever it is you want to do," Springer told Allyson Waller of Houstonia Magazine last month. "I hope that they can use me as an example. I know I'm going to (stutter), but it doesn't stop me from speaking."

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