Several hours before the first pitch is thrown, players slowly trickle into a quiet stadium. As they enter the clubhouse, a few different activities have already begun. The equipment manager, or “clubbie,” is hanging jerseys. The trainer is loading ice into an occupied tub. Behind a window-paned office, the coaching staff huddles together, reflecting on last night’s game – strategizing the next. A few players are sprawled out on couches, mindlessly scrolling their phones and listening to music.
Out on the field, a group of pitchers stands in a wide circle tossing a hacky sack between their feet – laughter and friendly competition fill the stadium air. In the dugout, a few players sit with eyes bowed to the Bibles in their hands, solemnly praying. The scripture of the day, from Matthew’s Gospel: “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
Many of us only see one side of our favorite athletes. We watch them from the stands or tune in to the live broadcast. We see them in highlight reels and admire them on posters and billboards. We see the show – the great spectacle of athleticism put on each night in front of thousands of people. So it might surprise us to find such faith in these athlete “superheroes” we only see from a distance, but it’s there – and very much alive. More than ever before, we’re seeing it lived out personally and publicly – in Bible studies and prayer before games, Masses held at stadiums, and personal testimonies broadcast before millions. Stories like the ones below are a great sign of hope, a reminder of faith flourishing in our midst.
3 Christians The MLB Right Now
1. Bobby Witt Jr.
In March of 2026, one of MLB’s brightest stars received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Having been sealed and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, the 25-year-old Bobby Witt Jr. will cleat up for his 5th season with the Kansas City Royals. A 2024 and 2025 MVP contender, Witt is most known for his smooth defense, gravity-defying diving plays, and consistent production as a hitter – not to mention his famous mullet that has inspired hundreds of youth baseball players across the nation.
The news of his Confirmation came following the USA’s tragic loss to Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, a game watched by nearly 11 million people. During the tournament, Witt performed at the highest level, solidifying his superstar status on the world stage. It’s no wonder that many Catholics are overjoyed at this latest news – we love to root for the home team. But more than that, Witt is a man described as “humble, generous, and family-oriented”, qualities we hope to attain ourselves, but especially in our youth who look up to athletes as their heroes. How wonderful it is to have heroes of good character and faith – heroes who hang on bedroom posters and stand for something, or Someone, bigger than themselves.
Fr. Zachary Burns, a Franciscan Friar and parochial vicar at Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Colleyville, Texas, who administered the Sacrament, congratulated Witt in an Instagram post following his Confirmation. He wrote: “Bobby is a man of quiet conviction and deep faith, and I know he’s going to be a bold witness for Jesus in the clubhouse, on the baseball field, and in the eyes of so many young people who look up to him.”
2. Trevor Williams
“The most terrifying prayer to pray is ‘Jesus, I trust in You, ‘ right before I go out and pitch.”
— Trevor Williams
For almost a decade, Trevor Williams has been a familiar face in the MLB. Making his debut in 2016 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Williams has made a career on the foundations of consistency and reliability. Where many pitchers dominate with power, hurling pitches that often exceed 100 MPH, Williams finds success not with power, but precision – an uncommon characteristic in today’s version of the game.
What sets him apart even more is his unmistakable identity as a follower of Christ.
Not many of us have Wikipedia pages, but if we did we would see a snapshot of our lives with big headings and short descriptions beneath them. What astounds me about Trevor Williams is that his life (and even his Wikipedia page) is more than just a biography of a baseball player. A quick search of his name, and you’ll get more than just his latest stats: you’ll find interviews, speaking events, articles and more – all expressing the central role that faith plays in Williams’ life! He is noticeably Catholic, and uses his platform as an inspiration to many sports fans and athletes across the world, often drawing comparisons between faith and sports. “When we do our baseball exercises, we also have our spiritual exercises, as well.”
Trevor Williams reminds us that faith can be found in all places, even a baseball field. He reminds us that faith isn’t just a part of our lives, but the whole thing. He reminds us that God comes first, above everything else — sports included.
3. Michael Kopech
I remember tuning into the MLB playoffs last year and watching Dodgers’ Michael Kopech take the mound. The 6’3″ closer was unrecognizable to me. Once a clean-shaven rookie in 2018, Kopech now wears hair to his shoulders and a Viking-style beard. He seemed to me a different man, bearing hardly any resemblance to his younger self. I came to find out later on that much more had changed in his life than just appearances.
Kopech made a name for himself early on as one of the hardest throwing pitchers in the game. Once, during a minor-league game in 2016, he recorded a pitch velocity of 105 MPH – one of the fastest pitches ever thrown in professional baseball history. Soon after, he would rise to celebrity-status and find himself thrown into a world of red carpets, tabloids, and reality tv series. In a recent interview, Kopech reflects on his younger self, saying, “I was living a life of seeking to be sought after.” After filing for divorce after only 6 months of marriage, the 24-year old pitcher had to reassess.
Kopech, who grew up Catholic, recalls how sports took priority over Sunday Mass. He says, “I think unintentionally because of that I put baseball at the forefront of my life instead of God.” In the wake of divorce, it became clear to him that regular church attendance would be important to him and his future family. While not a practicing Catholic, Kopech has been outspoken about his Christian faith. “My relationship with Christ is the most important thing in my life.”
In the story of Michael Kopech, we see something like an image of the prodigal son. We see a man changed, both physically and spiritually. We see how only God can satisfy the deepest desires of our heart – that money, fame, and celebrity-status could never compare to the Love and Mercy we find in Christ Jesus.
Stories like these, and so many others, give light to the world. They help us to see that even these athlete “superheroes” who hang on posters and billboards – they need a Savior, too. Let us continue to pray for athletes of all ages, for the good of their souls, their hope of salvation, and deliverance from all harm. Amen.
“A city set on a hill cannot be hidden…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14,16
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My name is Brett Milazzo. I’m a former professional baseball player, youth baseball instructor, and the founder of Two Crowns.
Two Crowns was born from years of searching for meaningful connections between faith and sports. Through the wisdom of the saints, the work of great authors, and the testimonies of athletes I’ve been privileged to meet, I’ve come to see sport as a unique arena for sanctification. The weight room, the field, and the locker room all are places where discipline, sacrifice, humility, and trust in God can be formed and lived.
My hope is that this space encourages faith-driven athletes to go deeper — to pursue excellence not only in sport, but in holiness — to become the saints they are called to be, and to reflect on what that call looks like through the lens of athletic life.
