When I was growing up, baseball was the king of sports. I think it was because baseball was a summer sport and we could play all day every day during summer vacation. It didn’t hurt that we lived near Cincinnati during the days of the ‘Big Red Machine.’ Every time we played we imagined we were Pete Rose, or Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, or Tony Perez. All the neighborhood boys would get together, divide into teams, and play a game. We didn’t keep track of wins and losses since the teams were always switching players. But we did keep track of home runs. I remember one summer I was tied with Bobby Cook for the most home runs in the neighborhood.. then we went on vacation to the Smokey Mountains and I fell behind. He became the home run champ that summer.
Matt Carpenter (St. Louis Cardinals): Baseball, in general, is a game of failure. If you live and die only with your success in this game, or any tangible thing, you are just never going to be happy. There are too many ups and downs. You can go a week or even a month without getting a hit. Having faith is the only way I can possibly imagine living life and also playing the game.
Albert Pujols (Los Angeles Angels): I think there are some people who look at me and say, ‘Oh man, you are awesome. They look at me like that and I say, ‘Hey, I’m trying to follow my Lord Jesus.’ That’s who I’m trying to represent every day I step on the field when I cross the line. I know there are 35,000-45,000 people watching me play, but at the end I’m only playing for the Lord.
Torii Hunter (Minnesota Twins): Every chance I get – whether it’s on TV or radio shows – I make sure to let them know that God is the light for me and He’s the reason why I am where I am now.
Carlos Beltran (St. Louis Cardinals): Every time I take the field I think of my favorite verse-“I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). I tell Him, “I’m doing this in Your name.” I don’t worry about so many things, I play to please God and if I have a good game I give the glory to God. If I have a bad game I continue to give Him the honor and glory because He has control over everything…When I die, I know that I’m going to heaven because I accepted Christ and He lives in me. I believe, because I’m saved, that I’m going to spend eternity with Him. God loves you too and He wants you to accept Jesus into your heart. Don’t be afraid simply trust Him.
There you have it. Baseball & Jesus are good summertime friends.
Here are some other baseball articles I’ve written: The Most Exciting Play in Baseball, Baseball & Christianity – 5 Similarities, Intentional Walk – Faith in Baseball, Beyond Baseball – Jackie Robinson Day.