True champions

The current issue of Lay Witness, the magazine put out by Catholics United for the Faith, has a really inspiring cover story about sports and faith, called “Live Like a Champion”. I love sports, and it’s spring season for baseball, and the fever is rising along with the temperatures. 

Specifically, the article is about Kansas City Royals’ first baseman Mike Sweeney, and his “passion for baseball and the Catholic faith”, it says. Lay Witness requires a subscription, but here’s a blurb:

Despite his considerable baseball accomplishments and love for his team and the game, however, Sweeney’s true passion lies in spreading the Gospel of Christ by word and example. A devout and unabashed Catholic, he is well-liked among his teammates–including his “non-denominational” brethren and even non-believers–because they see in “Sween Dog,” as they call him, a genuine and humble man…

As the advirosy chairman for Catholic Athletes for Christ (www.catholicathletesforchrist.com), Sweeney wholeheartedly works to expand opportunities for Catholic players to receive the sacraments during the season.

His inspiring story is one of many in the upcoming documentary Champions of Faith, an outstanding collection of personal testimonies to the faith of some of Major League Baseball’s biggest names. I’m pretty wowed by the preview I’ve seen of it, and the humility these men show. Even, and especially, when one of these guys confronts a time on the diamond when an outburst of anger led to a….less than Christian reaction, at least in the moment. The real drama – and power – came when he admitted he was wrong and asked for forgiveness.

What a witness these men are to character, virtue and the strength that comes from faith. Winners, all.