Sports Spectrum — Summer 2010
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Christian Baseball All-Stars
Summer has long been a time for “America’s Pastime” and a sign that baseball’s All-Star Game was near. With that thought, church and baseball historian James D. Smith III gives us the best Christian Baseball players, by position, since the “Grand Old Game” began.
We hope you enjoy this peak into the past and present, written by someone who loves Christ and who loves the game.
STAN MUSIAL 1920 A Hall of Fame member since 1969, “Stan the Man” the numbers from his great NL career are familiar to a host of fans (.331, 725 2B, 475 Hrs, 3630 H, 1,949 R, 1,951 RBIs). Less well known is that the man’s character has been profoundly shaped by his faith. Perhaps longtime business partner and VP of Stan the Man, Inc., Dick Zitzmann, says it best. “As a Christian, when Stan publicly supports Covenant House Missouri, for example, he really believes their mission statement: ‘Just as Christ in His humanity is the visible sign of God’s presence among His people, so our e orts together in the covenant community are a visible sign of the presence of God, working through the Holy Spirit among ourselves and our kids.’”
EARLE COMBS 1899 1976 The “Kentucky Colonel” played college basketball, ran track and starred in baseball. A trained teacher, semipro ball led to his 1924 sale by Louisville to the Yankees – and he exacted his promised share: “I am not an animal… I am a human being and intend to stay one whether I play with the New York Yankees or not.” Covering the vast stadium expanses alongside Babe Ruth, he became the era’s best leado man, batting .325 in a Hall of Fame career cut short by injury. Ralph Berger’s Society of American Baseball Research bioproject summarizes his character: “The ultimate team player, he was kind, a gentle man whose life was guided by the Bible.”
MIKE SCHMIDT 1949 Arguably the nest third baseman in MLB history, he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995. Mike won the NL MVP in 1980 (as the Phillies became World Champions), 1981 and 1986. His lifetime stats include 548 Hrs and 1,595 RBIs. With rare exceptions, he shied away from a public statement of his faith until his Clearing the Bases in 2006 detailed his conversion. “On Jan 8, 1978, I surrendered. I was convinced there was no other way to go through life than with a personal relationship with God, as laid out in the Bible.”
ELWOOD ENGLISH 1907 1997 The last surviving player from the 1933 All-Star Game, “Woody” starred (.290) at shortstop and later third base on strong Cubs teams from 1927-36. Rogers Hornsby named him captain in 1931. Following retirement, his “second career” was as manager of the Grand Rapids Chicks (All-American Girls Professional Baseball League). From my 1997 Sports Spectrum interview: “I kept my thoughts clean and showed them respect… When I was about 10 or 12, the Methodist church we attended in Fredonia held a revival and I went forward to give my life to Jesus… I’m a strong believer, and the Good Lord has been my guide through all these years.”
ALBERT PUJOLS 1980 JAMES L. WHITE 1847 1939 Perhaps baseball’s nest hitter today, Pujols was born in the Dominican Republic and his family emigrated to the U.S. in the early 1990s. His MLB career began with the Cardinals at the close of
2000. By 2006, he had become the rst MLB player with 30 home runs in each of his rst six full seasons.
In 1998, his wife-to-be Diedre recommitted her life to Christ, and Albert soon recognized this as his calling. As told to CBN.com: “God is my hero.
He died on the cross for my sins, and He’s the One.
That’s how I want to live.” The Pujols Family Foundation has been established to share faith and resources with the ill.
“Deacon” White began his pro career in 1871, with Cleveland of the National Association (the rst professional baseball league), and was the rst player to bat in a MLB game. Part of the original “Big Four” (with Spalding, Barnes and McVey), the barehanded catcher helped bring pennants to Boston, Chicago and Detroit. In 15 seasons he batted .303 in 1,299 games. As SABR historian Joe Over eld observed in BDAS: “An anomaly in a hard-bitten era of baseball history, he never drank, smoked or swore, carried his Bible with him on the road and attended church regularly.”
BOBBY RICHARDSON 1935 An outstanding elder on a decade of great Yankees teams, Bobby batted .266 lifetime.
Appearing in seven World Series, he gained the spotlight in 1960 batting .367 with 12 RBIs, and in 1964 with 13 hits. He retired as a player after the 1966 season to coach college ball (South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Liberty), increase his involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and later Baseball Chapel. Many would cite Bobby as one of the most articulate spokesmen combining an outstanding baseball career with Christian witness.
WILLIAM A. SUNDAY 1862 1935 “Billy” is the player most known for a post-baseball career in Christian ministry. Raised largely in an orphanage, during his eight NL seasons he became known as a fair batter (.249 in 499 games), rst-rate out elder, and the fastest man on spikes. With Cap Anson and Chicago on 1885-86 pennant winners, it was in 1887 that his life was radically changed.
Drunk on a street - corner, he responded to a troupe from that city’s Paci c Garden Mission: “Goodbye boys, I’m through. I’m going to Jesus Christ.” Though playing through 1890 (84 stolen bases), his increased work with the YMCA, Presbyterian Church and traveling evangelistic meetings saw him preach fervently to millions.
CHRISTY MATHEWSON 1880 1925 One of veoriginal players elected to the Hall of Fame, “Big Six” won 373 games. Pictured in The Glory of their Times, Giants teammates were devoted to him. Known as “The Christian Gentleman” because of his Presbyterian upbringing, Bible knowledge, and Sabbath observance, Matty became (per Ray Robinson) an American hero. Frank DeFord, in The Old Ball Game, referred to him as a “muscular Christian.” Eddie Frierson, whose one-man portrayal re ects extensive research, presents Matty, terminally ill, citing Philippians 1:21.
WALTER F. LEONARD 1907 1997 A longtime Negro Leagues standout and Hall of Famer, “Buck” began his pro career in 1933 with the Baltimore Stars, but became a legend as the Homestead Grays (with Josh Gibson) won nine straight Negro National League pennants (1937-45). Sources suggest a league average better than .340, and .382 in exhibitions against MLB competition. He courageously overcame a crippling 1986 stroke. His 1972 Hall of Fame speech declared: “It’s nice to receive praise and honor of men, but the greatest praise and honor comes from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
TREVOR HOFFMAN 1967 The longtime Padres’ bullpen ace 1993- 2008 (now with the Brewers) holds the Major League saves record, which could be well above 600 by the end of the season.
In an issue of the San Diego monthly, Good News, Etc., “Ho y” reviewed his Christian upbringing and Episcopal background.
There he declared, “I don’t really assume the role of the spiritual leader, but we do get together for Bible studies… All the glory is going to Him.”
BRANCH RICKEY 1881 1965
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1967, Rickey revolutionized baseball when as St. Louis Cardinals GM (1925-
42) he organized the “farm system” concept of minor league player development, and as Brooklyn Dodgers GM (1943-50) he signed Jackie Robinson, who in 1947 broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier. His parents gave him strong biblical values, cherished lifelong, and therst name Wesley after Methodist evangelist John Wesley. As biographer Chuck Chalberg, author of Rickey and Robinson: The Preacher, the Player and America’s Game noted, “Rickey was too much of a believing Christian to declare that baseball was America’s religion.” Lee Lowen sh, author of Branch Rickey: Baseball’s Ferocious Gentleman styled him a “genuine Christian moralist and philanthropist.” He helped found FCA in 1954.
WALTER “RED” BARBER 1908 1992
Barber, the “Old Redhead,” did baseball play-by-play across four decades with the Reds (1934-38), Dodgers (1949-53), and Yankees (1954-66). His eloquence was combined with a profound knowledge of Scripture and theology in his ministry as a lay reader in the Episcopal Church. Out of this grew books such as Walk in the Spirit (1969) and Show Me the Way to Go Home (1971). Therst was dedicated to his father, William Lanier Barber, and Branch Rickey, the second to Horace Donegan, Episcopal Bishop of New York. With his Hall of Fame renown and church ties came worldwide preaching opportunities.
FELIPE ALOU 1935
MANAGER: FELIPE ALOU (1935 --). Felipe distinguished himself in 17 seasons as a National League out elder, three-time All-Star and (with Matty and Jesus) part of therst all-brother out eld in MLB history.
When a young player with the Giants, herst embraced the Christian faith: “My good friend and Savior has been there to help me get up and walk with Him” (christiansportsminute.com). His 1967 book, My Life and Baseball, chronicled this decisive change. Felipe managed for 10 seasons in Montreal, and more recently four in San Francisco, winning 1,033 games – and widespread respect.
EDWARD BARRETT 1965 A former Golden Gloves boxer and college football captain, at 6-foot-4 inches, and 250 pounds, Ted’s an imposinggure on the baseball eld. More importantly, in a 2006 Sports Illustrated survey of 470 MLB ballplayers, he tied for third as the best umpire in the game. Beginning as a MLB ll-in in 1994, he joined the AL in 1999 and today works both leagues.
He has a Biblical Studies degree from Trinity University.
“If I can have an attitude that’s re ective of Christ, and trying to be obedient to Him, I think that speaks volumes to the people I work with. The reputation I strive for is, ‘He’s a good guy, but we don’t want to mess with him’” (bpnews.net).
TOM MONAGHAN 1937 WATSON SPOELSTRA 1910 1999 HONORABLE MENTION: The 1960 co-founder of Domino’s Pizza, Tom ful lled a boyhood dream by purchasing the Detroit Tigers in 1983.
During his decade as owner they contended, winning the World Series in 1984. This success sharply contrasted with childhood years in a Michigan orphanage run by the Felician Sisters of Livonia. There he was inspired by the Catholic faith, and subsequently as philanthropist and conservative activist his Ave Maria foundation has invested millions in charitable, educational, media and pro-life causes (see his autobiography Pizza Tiger). In the 1990s, reading C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity, Tom surrendered his spirit of pride, liquidated assets and rededicated his life to Christ (NY Times, Feb. 14, 1999). Catholic Culture has commended Ave Maria radio for demonstrating that “Jesus is Lord over all areas of life.”
WATSON SPOELSTRA 1910 1999
In 1973, the veteran sportswriter retired after 30 years with the Detroit News and long service as a correspondent with the Sporting News. The former president of the Baseball Writers Association of America joined evangelist Bill Glass in a PR capacity. That same year, with the support of MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, he helped found Baseball Chapel, which he led through 1982. His Christian conversion came in 1957, when his sister was near death from a brain hemorrhage: “You must be in this room, God… I’ve got a deal for you. You do something about Ann, and I’ll let you do something with me.” Within a short time, the miraculous answer came…and “Waddy” kept his word.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Nolan Ryan, Bob Feller, Jim Kaat, John Smoltz, Mariano Rivera, Carl Erskine, Gary Carter, Lance Berkman, Sean Casey, Bob Doerr, Paul Molitor, Albie Pearson, Ernie Harwell, etal … and (bottom of the 9th) Mickey Mantle.
We hope you enjoy this peak into the past and present, written by someone who loves Christ and who loves the game.
STAN MUSIAL 1920 A Hall of Fame member since 1969, “Stan the Man” the numbers from his great NL career are familiar to a host of fans (.331, 725 2B, 475 Hrs, 3630 H, 1,949 R, 1,951 RBIs). Less well known is that the man’s character has been profoundly shaped by his faith. Perhaps longtime business partner and VP of Stan the Man, Inc., Dick Zitzmann, says it best. “As a Christian, when Stan publicly supports Covenant House Missouri, for example, he really believes their mission statement: ‘Just as Christ in His humanity is the visible sign of God’s presence among His people, so our e orts together in the covenant community are a visible sign of the presence of God, working through the Holy Spirit among ourselves and our kids.’”
EARLE COMBS 1899 1976 The “Kentucky Colonel” played college basketball, ran track and starred in baseball. A trained teacher, semipro ball led to his 1924 sale by Louisville to the Yankees – and he exacted his promised share: “I am not an animal… I am a human being and intend to stay one whether I play with the New York Yankees or not.” Covering the vast stadium expanses alongside Babe Ruth, he became the era’s best leado man, batting .325 in a Hall of Fame career cut short by injury. Ralph Berger’s Society of American Baseball Research bioproject summarizes his character: “The ultimate team player, he was kind, a gentle man whose life was guided by the Bible.”
MIKE SCHMIDT 1949 Arguably the nest third baseman in MLB history, he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1995. Mike won the NL MVP in 1980 (as the Phillies became World Champions), 1981 and 1986. His lifetime stats include 548 Hrs and 1,595 RBIs. With rare exceptions, he shied away from a public statement of his faith until his Clearing the Bases in 2006 detailed his conversion. “On Jan 8, 1978, I surrendered. I was convinced there was no other way to go through life than with a personal relationship with God, as laid out in the Bible.”
ELWOOD ENGLISH 1907 1997 The last surviving player from the 1933 All-Star Game, “Woody” starred (.290) at shortstop and later third base on strong Cubs teams from 1927-36. Rogers Hornsby named him captain in 1931. Following retirement, his “second career” was as manager of the Grand Rapids Chicks (All-American Girls Professional Baseball League). From my 1997 Sports Spectrum interview: “I kept my thoughts clean and showed them respect… When I was about 10 or 12, the Methodist church we attended in Fredonia held a revival and I went forward to give my life to Jesus… I’m a strong believer, and the Good Lord has been my guide through all these years.”
ALBERT PUJOLS 1980 JAMES L. WHITE 1847 1939 Perhaps baseball’s nest hitter today, Pujols was born in the Dominican Republic and his family emigrated to the U.S. in the early 1990s. His MLB career began with the Cardinals at the close of
2000. By 2006, he had become the rst MLB player with 30 home runs in each of his rst six full seasons.
In 1998, his wife-to-be Diedre recommitted her life to Christ, and Albert soon recognized this as his calling. As told to CBN.com: “God is my hero.
He died on the cross for my sins, and He’s the One.
That’s how I want to live.” The Pujols Family Foundation has been established to share faith and resources with the ill.
“Deacon” White began his pro career in 1871, with Cleveland of the National Association (the rst professional baseball league), and was the rst player to bat in a MLB game. Part of the original “Big Four” (with Spalding, Barnes and McVey), the barehanded catcher helped bring pennants to Boston, Chicago and Detroit. In 15 seasons he batted .303 in 1,299 games. As SABR historian Joe Over eld observed in BDAS: “An anomaly in a hard-bitten era of baseball history, he never drank, smoked or swore, carried his Bible with him on the road and attended church regularly.”
BOBBY RICHARDSON 1935 An outstanding elder on a decade of great Yankees teams, Bobby batted .266 lifetime.
Appearing in seven World Series, he gained the spotlight in 1960 batting .367 with 12 RBIs, and in 1964 with 13 hits. He retired as a player after the 1966 season to coach college ball (South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Liberty), increase his involvement with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and later Baseball Chapel. Many would cite Bobby as one of the most articulate spokesmen combining an outstanding baseball career with Christian witness.
WILLIAM A. SUNDAY 1862 1935 “Billy” is the player most known for a post-baseball career in Christian ministry. Raised largely in an orphanage, during his eight NL seasons he became known as a fair batter (.249 in 499 games), rst-rate out elder, and the fastest man on spikes. With Cap Anson and Chicago on 1885-86 pennant winners, it was in 1887 that his life was radically changed.
Drunk on a street - corner, he responded to a troupe from that city’s Paci c Garden Mission: “Goodbye boys, I’m through. I’m going to Jesus Christ.” Though playing through 1890 (84 stolen bases), his increased work with the YMCA, Presbyterian Church and traveling evangelistic meetings saw him preach fervently to millions.
CHRISTY MATHEWSON 1880 1925 One of veoriginal players elected to the Hall of Fame, “Big Six” won 373 games. Pictured in The Glory of their Times, Giants teammates were devoted to him. Known as “The Christian Gentleman” because of his Presbyterian upbringing, Bible knowledge, and Sabbath observance, Matty became (per Ray Robinson) an American hero. Frank DeFord, in The Old Ball Game, referred to him as a “muscular Christian.” Eddie Frierson, whose one-man portrayal re ects extensive research, presents Matty, terminally ill, citing Philippians 1:21.
WALTER F. LEONARD 1907 1997 A longtime Negro Leagues standout and Hall of Famer, “Buck” began his pro career in 1933 with the Baltimore Stars, but became a legend as the Homestead Grays (with Josh Gibson) won nine straight Negro National League pennants (1937-45). Sources suggest a league average better than .340, and .382 in exhibitions against MLB competition. He courageously overcame a crippling 1986 stroke. His 1972 Hall of Fame speech declared: “It’s nice to receive praise and honor of men, but the greatest praise and honor comes from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
TREVOR HOFFMAN 1967 The longtime Padres’ bullpen ace 1993- 2008 (now with the Brewers) holds the Major League saves record, which could be well above 600 by the end of the season.
In an issue of the San Diego monthly, Good News, Etc., “Ho y” reviewed his Christian upbringing and Episcopal background.
There he declared, “I don’t really assume the role of the spiritual leader, but we do get together for Bible studies… All the glory is going to Him.”
BRANCH RICKEY 1881 1965
Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1967, Rickey revolutionized baseball when as St. Louis Cardinals GM (1925-
42) he organized the “farm system” concept of minor league player development, and as Brooklyn Dodgers GM (1943-50) he signed Jackie Robinson, who in 1947 broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier. His parents gave him strong biblical values, cherished lifelong, and therst name Wesley after Methodist evangelist John Wesley. As biographer Chuck Chalberg, author of Rickey and Robinson: The Preacher, the Player and America’s Game noted, “Rickey was too much of a believing Christian to declare that baseball was America’s religion.” Lee Lowen sh, author of Branch Rickey: Baseball’s Ferocious Gentleman styled him a “genuine Christian moralist and philanthropist.” He helped found FCA in 1954.
WALTER “RED” BARBER 1908 1992
Barber, the “Old Redhead,” did baseball play-by-play across four decades with the Reds (1934-38), Dodgers (1949-53), and Yankees (1954-66). His eloquence was combined with a profound knowledge of Scripture and theology in his ministry as a lay reader in the Episcopal Church. Out of this grew books such as Walk in the Spirit (1969) and Show Me the Way to Go Home (1971). Therst was dedicated to his father, William Lanier Barber, and Branch Rickey, the second to Horace Donegan, Episcopal Bishop of New York. With his Hall of Fame renown and church ties came worldwide preaching opportunities.
FELIPE ALOU 1935
MANAGER: FELIPE ALOU (1935 --). Felipe distinguished himself in 17 seasons as a National League out elder, three-time All-Star and (with Matty and Jesus) part of therst all-brother out eld in MLB history.
When a young player with the Giants, herst embraced the Christian faith: “My good friend and Savior has been there to help me get up and walk with Him” (christiansportsminute.com). His 1967 book, My Life and Baseball, chronicled this decisive change. Felipe managed for 10 seasons in Montreal, and more recently four in San Francisco, winning 1,033 games – and widespread respect.
EDWARD BARRETT 1965 A former Golden Gloves boxer and college football captain, at 6-foot-4 inches, and 250 pounds, Ted’s an imposinggure on the baseball eld. More importantly, in a 2006 Sports Illustrated survey of 470 MLB ballplayers, he tied for third as the best umpire in the game. Beginning as a MLB ll-in in 1994, he joined the AL in 1999 and today works both leagues.
He has a Biblical Studies degree from Trinity University.
“If I can have an attitude that’s re ective of Christ, and trying to be obedient to Him, I think that speaks volumes to the people I work with. The reputation I strive for is, ‘He’s a good guy, but we don’t want to mess with him’” (bpnews.net).
TOM MONAGHAN 1937 WATSON SPOELSTRA 1910 1999 HONORABLE MENTION: The 1960 co-founder of Domino’s Pizza, Tom ful lled a boyhood dream by purchasing the Detroit Tigers in 1983.
During his decade as owner they contended, winning the World Series in 1984. This success sharply contrasted with childhood years in a Michigan orphanage run by the Felician Sisters of Livonia. There he was inspired by the Catholic faith, and subsequently as philanthropist and conservative activist his Ave Maria foundation has invested millions in charitable, educational, media and pro-life causes (see his autobiography Pizza Tiger). In the 1990s, reading C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity, Tom surrendered his spirit of pride, liquidated assets and rededicated his life to Christ (NY Times, Feb. 14, 1999). Catholic Culture has commended Ave Maria radio for demonstrating that “Jesus is Lord over all areas of life.”
WATSON SPOELSTRA 1910 1999
In 1973, the veteran sportswriter retired after 30 years with the Detroit News and long service as a correspondent with the Sporting News. The former president of the Baseball Writers Association of America joined evangelist Bill Glass in a PR capacity. That same year, with the support of MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, he helped found Baseball Chapel, which he led through 1982. His Christian conversion came in 1957, when his sister was near death from a brain hemorrhage: “You must be in this room, God… I’ve got a deal for you. You do something about Ann, and I’ll let you do something with me.” Within a short time, the miraculous answer came…and “Waddy” kept his word.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Nolan Ryan, Bob Feller, Jim Kaat, John Smoltz, Mariano Rivera, Carl Erskine, Gary Carter, Lance Berkman, Sean Casey, Bob Doerr, Paul Molitor, Albie Pearson, Ernie Harwell, etal … and (bottom of the 9th) Mickey Mantle.
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