Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield is known for throwing a knuckleball that only one or two major league pitchers master each decade. But when he passed away on October 1, it became clear that Wakefield was known and loved for much more than his athletic prowess.
In “A Tribute to a Quiet Baseball Star in an Age of Christian Celebrity,” Martin Olasky reflects on Wakefield’s legacy. He notes that while many stories have recognized the pitcher’s humanitarian nature, most have not mentioned the foundation of Tim’s way in the world: his belief in Christ.
“While I’m disappointed many are neglecting to mention his faith, this says something significant about the way Wakefield as a public figure approached Christianity in an age of empty virtue signaling and flashy displays of religiosity,” writes Olasky. “That is, while Wakefield privately influenced many with his faith, religion was not something he made a big show of publicly.”
Throughout the many ups and downs of his career, Wakefield considered himself someone who was happy to talk about his faith when asked but otherwise content to “lead by example.” Coaches and managers remember him as a player who gave his best on both good days and bad.
“That’s also a description of some mature Christians who make a not-necessarily-spoken profession of faith in Christ by steadiness under pressure,” writes Olasky. “They don’t get arrogant in good times or anxious in bad ones.”
May the same be said of us as we live our lives, whether we testify to the gospel in word or deed.
