Colorado Rockies: The books they loved and still love to read

With the Colorado Rockies joining forces on a book drive to benefit the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, I decided to ask some of the Rockies about their favorite memories of reading and what books or genres are currently grabbing their interest.

The Colorado Rockies are now working with EPIC (Executives Partnering to Invest in Children) to host a book drive that will benefit economically disadvantaged children in the Denver area. Rockies fans are encouraged to drop off new or gently used children’s books or monetary donations at local UPS Store locations from now thru September 8. Those fans who do will receive two free tickets to one of two Colorado Rockies home games in September (while supplies last).

With the Rockies chasing the National League West title, who wouldn’t want a pair of free tickets to see history possibly made?

Also, at the September 8 Rockies-Dodgers game, Marines from the Denver Toys for Tots chapter and UPS Store volunteers will be present to collect books and monetary donations for the literacy drive. Additionally, donations will go even further as 100 percent of the books and funds collected at the September 8 game will be matched by The UPS Store.

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So what are some of the favorite reads in the locker room, past and present? Well, let’s start with some flashbacks.

For Jon Gray, books represent another bonding experience with his wife.

“My wife and I actually both read all of the Hank the Cowdog series,” Gray smiled. “We had no idea that we read the same childhood books until we figured it out about a year ago. It almost seemed like a cartoon show to me. They were a lot of fun.”

Ryan McMahon has plenty of family memories come flooding back when the subject of books is brought up.

“When I was a kid growing up, Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss was obviously a big one,” McMahon said. “My grandmother and mom, for some reason, were into reading to us from these books, ever since we were kids. Just loved bedtime stories and stuff like that. There was a huge book of these stories. Now, every time one of my buddies has a kid, she sends him one of those books.”

Currently, McMahon says his reading habits are all over the board.

“Books are important. I do a lot of reading now. Really whatever I can get my hands on. I’ll read a murder-mystery. I’ll read an autobiography. I’ll read anything,” he said.

Chris Iannetta said he also doesn’t currently favor one genre or author.

“I just like to read in general,” Iannetta said. “There isn’t one book I focus on or a favorite. I loved a lot of them. I enjoy reading. I read in spurts. I’ll read four, five or six books in a row then take a couple of months off. I’ll read articles on the Internet then go back to reading books. It comes and goes.

“If I want something on the light reading side, I’ll look on the murder mystery side. If not, I want to read something where I am learning something about history or science or math.”

With the Colorado Rockies joining forces on a book drive to benefit the Toys for Tots Literacy Program, I decided to ask some of the Rockies about their favorite memories of reading and what books or genres are currently grabbing their interest.

More from Rox Pile

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