Toronto Blue Jays pitcher loves life living in a van (Photos)

WASHINGTON — Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Daniel Norris has made headlines recently — not because his talent is wavering. Not because he is part of a scandal. Not because he is injured.

It’s because he lives in a 1978 Volkswagen van — often parked behind a Florida Walmart during the team’s spring training. Also, the lefty with a 92 mph pitch shaves with an ax, prepares his meals on a camp stove and has been known to fall asleep on the beach.

Norris, 21, doesn’t live this lifestyle out of necessity. He received a $2 million signing bonus when he began his professional baseball career in 2011 and he has a deal with Nike, ESPN The Magazine reports. Norris lives out of a van because it helps him stay balanced and focused.

“I’m not going to change who I am just because people think it’s weird,” Norris told ESPN. “The only way I’m going to have a great season is by starting out happy and balanced and continuing to be me. It might be unconventional, but to feel good about life I need to have some adventure.”

The van — named “Shaggy” after the “Scooby Doo” character — has been Norris’ “best friend and his spiritual center,” ESPN reports.

While living in a van may be unconventional, the team’s assistant general manager, Tony LaCava says it doesn’t seem to affect Norris’ performance.

“He takes care of himself as well as anybody we’ve got,” LaCava told ESPN. “He’s in great shape. He competes on the mound. If that wasn’t the case, maybe we’d be more worried about some of the other stuff. But right now, the van and all that is secondary. He has great values, and they’re working for him.”

See images Norris has posted on Twitter in the gallery above.

h/t: People