Braves' Reliever Testifies of God's Transforming Influence
by Doug Greengard
October 8, 2004
(AgapePress) - Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz is a big believer in that old adage: actions should speak louder than words. Regarded as one of the best pitchers in baseball, the six-foot, three-inch right-hander has tormented his major league opponents for more than a decade.In addition to his on-field success, the four-time all-star has come to understand there is more to life than just trying to strike out the next batter he faces. Before Smoltz committed to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, he saw things quite differently than he does now.
"My rules were I played for me," says Smoltz. "Now, it's a different set of rules so that God gets all the glory. I am as competitive as the next person, but I don't go to the extreme. I try to live my life so that if no one ever hears me say a word, they watch me and judge me by my actions. If you never heard me say a word, you would say 'There's something special about that guy -- he's different.'"
Smoltz became different through the life-changing power of God that he embraced in 1995. It just so happened that the following season was his best ever. The Lansing, Michigan, native led the majors in wins (24), strikeouts (276), and strikeouts per nine innings (9.8) on his way to being named the winner of the 1996 National League's Cy Young Award.
"I'm not saying becoming a Christian got me the Cy Young, but it enabled me to handle all the things that I wouldn't have been able to handle," explains Smoltz. "The success wouldn't have gone to my head, but it would have affected me in ways that I couldn't have handled. I read the Book of Philippians over and over and over that year just to gain perspective."
Despite injuries that have limited his playing time in recent years, Smoltz is focused more than ever on making his best pitch -- the one he makes vocally for the Lord every chance he gets.
"I never thought I'd get the opportunity to stand in front of 5,000 people to share my testimony or my faith," says Smoltz, who is now being used as relief pitcher. Whether it is with his bold testimony or his blazing fastball, the veteran pitcher does not hold back, no matter where he is.
"Playing baseball now, the main focus is to do my best," adds Smoltz. "I believe that if God was out there on the mound and He had to throw His best knockdown pitch and His best inside pitch, it would be just that."
Doug Greengard is chaplain for the NFL's New Orleans Saints and the host/producer of Christian Sports Minute, a radio feature airing on more than 300 stations in North America. To obtain Heroes of Faith, a book filled with 24 stories of well-known sports figures, send a donation of $10 or more to: Greengard Family Ministries, 2250 Gause Blvd., PMB 51089, Slidell, LA 70461.
