Talking with ... Padres pitcher Matt Strahm

Gregory Bull/AP San Diego Padres starting pitcher Matt Strahm works against a Cincinnati Reds batter during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 19, 2019, in San Diego.Growing up in West Fargo, N.D., some four hours away from the nearest big league stadium, Matt Strahm never fancied himself as much of an autograph hound as a kid. He collected the ones he came across. He followed the career of Darin Erstad, a fellow North Dakotan native, closely. He went to Twins games once or twice a year. His fandom, however, was nothing like Liam’s.

U-T: Tell us about your super fan, Liam.

Strahm: That was a kid at the ballpark who asked me to come over and sign his ball. We took a picture…