According to the polls, baseball hasn’t been America’s favorite sport for more than 50 years – but everyone is nevertheless entitled to their own wrong opinion.
But whether or not you appreciate the game or not, there is something special about October baseball – playoff competition that often concludes in the cool or even cold air of autumn after a long and hot summer.
After 30 teams competing during the 162-game regular season and the “Wild Card” round of the playoffs complete, eight teams remain: The Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Fans of longstanding have their teams, but casual Christian followers might be encouraged to learn that Major League Baseball has strong believers on every team, although some may be either more reserved or quiet about it than others. Of the teams remaining in the hunt for the long sought after World Series ring, here are a few you might consider rooting for:
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Measuring 6’7” and weighing in at 282 pounds, Judge is colossal in physical size and stature – but stands even taller in reputation as one of baseball’s good guys – a man who prioritizes his Christian faith and credits the love and care of his family for his baseball success.
Adopted at birth, Judge said of his mom and dad, “I feel they kind of picked me. I feel that God was the one that matched us together.”
Writing on X, Judge has declared, “God gave you the talent, so always give him the glory! Never forget that God gave you this opportunity.”
Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
Freddie and Chelsea Freeman are approaching their tenth wedding anniversary this November. With three sons, the couple navigated a medical emergency with their son, Max this past summer. Diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, the Freemans are having to help their young son relearn how to walk.
“I pray before every game, I do everything I can for Him,” Freddie has said. “I just make sure I put God first and not let temptations get in front of me.”
Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets
Brandon and Chelsea Nimmo married in 2017 and are expecting their first child this coming December. Growing up in Wyoming, which doesn’t have high school baseball, Nimmo played American Legion ball. Growing up in a Christian family, Nimmo really made his faith his own as he struggled to make the Major Leagues. At first turning away from the Lord when things weren’t clicking, he finally came to a peace about not finding his identity in baseball.
“When I finally really surrendered to Him in my heart, not just saying the words, but in my heart say. ‘Okay wherever this is going to go it’s up to you’, I started to feel more peace about what I was doing,” he reflected.
“Baseball is a game of failure, so you’re going to have ups and downs,” Nimmo stated. “You’re going to be upset about your failures. This is how Jesus would want you to act, you know? How I just conduct myself on an everyday basis of trying to have more patience and be slow to anger. Learn from the Bible and what it teaches us. I think it helps deal with the failure of baseball in a much healthier way.”
He added:
“The ultimate sacrifice was Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. He made the greatest example by showing us that true love and true purpose down here is sacrifice.”
J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies
J.T. and Alexis have been married since 2017 and are the proud parents of four children – two boys and two girls.
“My favorite [B]ible verse my whole life has been James 4:7; ‘So humble yourselves before God, resist the devil and he will flee from you,’” says J.T.
“For me, being humble has been something that has been really important in my life because I know that I’ve gotten to where I’ve gotten and been able to succeed in life 1000% because of what Jesus has done for me. I haven’t been able to do anything on my own. Nothing that I’ve accomplished is due to me. I give all the credit to Him.”
It was the poet T.S. Elliot who once wrote, “Baseball is about coming home. The whole point of the game is to finish where you begin – home plate – and once you are home you are finally safe.”
Followers of Jesus Christ can relate.
Image credit: Chelsea Freeman, Max, and Freddie. Chelsea Freeman/Instagram
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