St. Louis Cardinals Bring Christian Faith on Baseball Field
The St. Louis Cardinals have been causing discussions about faith when the Major League Baseball team began etching Christian symbolism in their Busch Stadium pitcher's mound.
The Cardinals have been vocal about their Christian faith, which prompted USA Today MLB writer Rob Rains assigned to the team to write the book "Intentional Walk: An Inside Look at the Faith That Drives the St. Louis Cardinals." That faith has also been evident to fans who have witnessed the cross and number six that has been drawn in the dirt on the pitcher's mound by the Busch groundskeeper.
Mike Matheny, the Cardinals' manager, has been vocal about why the team goes above and beyond to showcase their faith.
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"I am not going to shove my faith down your throat, but when the opportunity presents itself, don't expect me to walk away, "Matheny told Rains in the team's first meeting last spring. "This is who I am, and Jesus Christ is at the center of my life. It's all that I am, every day, every decision that I make. I'm going to stand up and tell you what I believe is true."
While the cross on the pitcher's mound may be self explanatory to some, Yahoo! Sports recently uncovered that the number six featured on the field was drawn there to honor the late Cardinals' player Stan Musial who died last year.
Adam Wainwright, the St. Louis Cardinals' starting pitcher, recently spoke about finding the symbols when he goes to the mound before home games.
"They've been there every time for me," Wainwright told the St Louis Post-Dispatch.
The team will engage in their 23rd Annual Christian Day which will highlight faith, fellowship and baseball on July 7.
"Christian Day is a wonderful day of faith and baseball that we look forward to every summer. This year we are excited to have national celebrity Willie Robertson joining us at Busch Stadium," said Joe Strohm, Vice President of Ticket Sales on the Cardinals' website.
