When I was in little league I bought a book about Bob Gibson and started reading it. (I re-read that and realize how weird it was that I did that in little league...when I was 12 I read a book about Bob Gibson...that's how much I like sports) I was a pitcher and Bob Gibson's writing influenced me one game. I read a part where he said that you needed to "own the inside of the plate." That you should never be afraid to throw inside. To be aggressive and to go after hitters.
I did throw inside my next game. I hit 3 batters in two innings on a cold day. Gibson certainly influenced me. After my third hit batter I heard that the other team wanted to meet me in the parking lot after the game. That part never happened!
I don't think I was rocked in my 2 or 3 innings of work. Maybe I gave up a run. I don't really know, but that book influenced me to be aggressive. Despite hitting batters, it made me a better pitcher that day because I became aggressive.
I think that athletes should do more reading to prepare for games. Obviously I hope it doesn't influence them to throw a baseball wildly.
I think it would be extremely useful for athletes if they went to a bookstore and bought an autobiography on a really successful coach or athlete and read about what motivated them. Read about their hard times and how they overcame them. Learn what their keys to success were. I think that they would learn a lot because they will be able to relate to these successful athletes or coaches. I think reading over the summer about sports can have a really positive impact when your in season, and when your training.
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