Rob Maaddi - Baseball Faith: 52 MLB Stars Reflect on Their Faith

2017 by Rob Maaddi

Print ISBN 978-1-68322-094-7

eBook Editions:

Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-68322-305-4

Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-68322-309-2

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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the H OLY B IBLE, N EW I NTERNATIONAL V ERSION . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version.
Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked WEB are taken from the World English Bible . Public Domain.

Cover photography: Andrew McCutchen: Icon Sportswire via AP Images; Albert Pujols: Cal Sport Media via AP Images; Clayton Kershaw: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill; Mariano Rivera: Icon Sportswire via AP Images; Pedro Martinez: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

Published by Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.shilohrunpress.com.

Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

Printed in China.

For Jesus Christ, thank You for the ultimate sacrifice, taking that cross and guiding me every minute of my life. For my twin daughters, Alexia and Melina, you will always be daddys little girls, and I love you more than words can adequately describe. For my loving wife, Remy, thank you for your support, encouragement, and unconditional love. For my parents, Issa and Hayat, thank you for everything. Special thanks to Diego Ettedgui and Gethin Coolbaugh for all your help on this project.

The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
M ATTHEW 25:40

They hit prodigious home runs. They reach triple digits on the radar gun. They make acrobatic catches.

Some are Hall of Famers. Some are perennial All-Stars. Some are just average ballplayers living the dream in the major leagues.

They compete hard on the field and play to win. In real life, theyre all on the same team. Theyre a brotherhood, a fraternity, a group of men who share a passion for Christ.

Superior talent and elite skills make them seem larger than life. However, theyre just like you and me. They have ups and downs, good days and bad days. They sometimes have struggles. They often have to overcome adversity.

Through lifes smooth and rough moments, they rely on God. Theres no greater teammate or better coach than the Lord.

Baseball Faith provides a unique and inside look at some of the greatest players in baseball history and guides you through their Christian journey.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
J OHN 3:17

You hear so much about John 3:16For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal lifeand then you read this verse and realize the Lord didnt come to condemn us; He came to save us. People think theres a lot of hypocrisy in Christianity, and there may be some hypocrites, but Jesus didnt come here to be served but to serve and save us from this world because theres something bigger for us in heaven.

I grew up going to church here and there. I wasnt a strong Christian. But when my grandmother passed away in 2009, she left me her Bible, and some of the verses in there hit me hard. The biggest turning point for me came when my dad passed away in 2012, because we were very close. My parents divorced when I was twelve, and I lived with him. We were like peas and carrots. We did everything togetherworked, played baseball. He lived vicariously through me. So when he passed away, it was a big turning point for me, and I rededicated my life as a Christian. I realized I need a Savior because I cant do this myself.

SEVENTH INNING STRETCH

Chase Anderson tossed three no-hitters as a high school senior.

Chase Anderson won his first five major league starts and finished 10th in voting for National League Rookie of the Year in 2014. After a solid sophomore season, Anderson was part of a five-player trade from Arizona to Milwaukee.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
P ROVERBS 3:56

I learned this verse early on in the minor leagues at baseball chapel. It stuck with me through all the ups and downs on and off the field. My daughter was born six weeks early with some medical issues. She has a mild case of cerebral palsy, and while she was in the hospital, I trusted in the Lord and knew that, whatever happened, things would be fine. Living by that verse keeps me focused on the ultimate goal. During that rough time, reading that verse at night while she was sleeping kept me on the right path.