Pitcher

6' 0" 195 pounds

University of Houston

2003 NL All-Star

They told me the news and I felt sorry for myself for five minutes. I was just crying like a baby. Then I realized there's no reason to cry. There's no reason to be feeling sorry for myself, I should be thankful. I think it was just God speaking to me and making me realize that He's still in control and there's no reason for me to worry and go on about the situation the way I was.

This season was off to a good start and I was feeling strong, throwing the ball just about as good as I had ever. I was throwing harder and more movement and maybe I was getting caught up in that and it was time for God to make me realize that it's not me out there -- that I need to give glory to Him.

You know what? It's very hard with everything that goes on around you. I try to be an example as best I can for the other players on the team and for the coaches or kids. But it's hard away from the field but on the field it's very easy to get times to get caught up in what's going on out there --everybody patting you on the back. There are times you start believing that, "Hey, it's me out here doing this." In the essence it's God that's giving me the talent and the opportunity to do that. And by Him giving us the talent we just need to return the thanks and give glory to Him.

I definitely think that He gives all of us Christian athletes a platform by the sport we play. But I definitely think He's gonna give me a higher one or a more vocal one to really reach people from and let people know what being a Christian is all about.

By example you can always be a witness to people. But there's very few players in this game who really have a big opportunity to let everybody know their faith and without pounding it down someone's throat, make them really realize that through God's strength, and faith in God is what got us by.