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New York Yankees pitcher David Phelps returned to familiar territory in Hazelwood last Wednesday, the night after he pitched against the hometown St. Louis Cardinals.

Phelps, who is a 2005 graduate of Hazelwood West High School, spoke to 4th and 5th graders at McNair Elementary, the same gym he spent his formative years when he attended McNair.

“I grew up right down the way,” he told the students. “My grandparents lived on Foxfield and I would jump the fence and run down the street to go to McNair.”

In a presentation-turned-question-and-answer session, Phelps recalled his childhood in the Hazelwood neighborhood as well as teachers who were influential in his growing up. He stressed the importance of education, family and hard work.

Introducing Phelps, Robert Iezzi, physical education teacher at McNair and Phelps’ former baseball coach at West High, described the former Wildcat as an athlete who “had a strong work and was so coachable. He didn’t have to throw on his day off, but he did,” Iezzi said.

After graduating from West High, Phelps attended the University of Notre Dame where he continued his baseball career. In 2008, he was drafted by the New York Yankees organization and made his way through the team’s minor league system. He has been part of  the team’s regular pitching rotation, since 2012 when was brought up.

Students were given the opportunity to ask Phelps questions with topics ranging from his favorite teacher at McNair (“All of them”), to favorite music (“’80s rock but One Direction is catchy”) to favorite Cardinals player (“Albert Pujols”).

McNair Art teacher Susan Farel remembers David as being a “good artist and well rounded, good student.”

“When I heard he had been drafted, I thought it was very well deserved,” Farel said.

Phelps, who is now 27 years old, married and a father of two, credits the support of his friends, family — particularly his mother and father — and the teachers in the Hazelwood School District for the success he’s experienced so far.

“Thanks to my mom and dad for making me put my schoolwork first,” Phelps said. “They pushed me to take care of the academics first. In high school, I took honors classes and I wanted to push myself. It was my parents who encouraged me to go back and finish my degree.”