Bible, beards and baseball: Area Cardinals fans enjoyed annual Christian Day event

~ Area Cardinals fans enjoyed annual Christian Day event

The 2013 St. Louis Cardinals team has been one for the books. Heading into the All-Start break, the Cardinals had the best record in Major League Baseball.

The team is poised to do well in the second half of the season, but for several players there's something more important than baseball. There's something that helps them deal with the highs and lows of professional baseball. That something is their faith in God.

On July 7 the Cardinals held their annual Christian Day at the Ballpark. Following the afternoon contest with the Marlins, about 20,000 fans stayed to hear from players, manager Mike Matheny and Willie Robertson, CEO of Duck Commander, a Louisiana-based company that makes duck calls and hunting-related merchandise, and a star of "Duck Dynasty," the popular A&E television show.

Jason Motte, the Cardinals closer for the last two seasons, was dealt a blow early in spring training. The hard-throwing pitcher started feeling discomfort in his right elbow and had season-ending surgery. In his remarks after the game, Motte said he felt a "calmness" and "peace" that everything would work out.

"At first it was kind of crazy, but it's one of those things that you realize everything happens for a reason," Mott said, adding it's been a blessing to spend time with his wife and newborn daughter as well as do things in the community.

In addition to Motte, other participating players were Trevor Rosenthal, Matt Carpenter, David Freese, Matt Holliday and Adam Wainwright. Each shared a Bible verse or testimony of their faith.

Freese spoke about the importance of having other players on the team who share his faith, particularly Wainwright and Holliday. Matheny also was a faith influence on his life before becoming his manager.

The 2011 World Series MVP shared Philippians 3:14 with the crowd, a verse that coincided with his comments on growing as a person through faith in Christ.

Manager Matheny shared his transformation from being a religious person to developing a relationship with God.

After quoting John 3:16, Matheny said: "Jesus stepped in and paid the price for a debt he didn't owe, for something that we didn't deserve. That's grace; that's mercy."

This was the 23rd annual event for the organization. Past celebrity speakers have included Kurt Warner, Lou Brock, Tony Dungy, Mike Singletary, Jim Morris and Adam Wainwright.

Headlining Christian Day was Robertson, who has developed a strong following through the megahit series "Duck Dynasty."

Justin Meyer, manager of group sales for the Cardinals, said Robertson's strong faith-based message and the popularity of "Duck Dynasty" were the two big reasons for his appearance.

Serving as master of ceremonies for the day was Darren Patrick, lead pastor at The Journey church in St. Louis. He also serves as the team's chaplain.

Before introducing the players, Patrick encouraged the crowd to, like the players, share their story and let God use it to help others.

"Just as God can use them, God can use you," he said.

Christian Day, and similar events, have been held at other major league stadiums.

"I know it's a popular date," Meyer said. "It's one that a lot of teams do, whether it's called Christian Day or Faith Day, something along those lines." He added that the St. Louis event is one of the few that doesn't center around a musical act.

Meyer said this was probably the Cardinals' largest crowd for a Christian Day postgame event.

Several people from Southeast Missouri attended the day's festivities.

Mike Mitchell, a member of Anchor Church in Sikeston, Mo., said his family had to leave the game early. He received updates later and watched video from the event. Mitchell said he was impressed with the large Christian groups at the stadium.

Julie LeGrand, a member of La Croix Church in Cape Girardeau, said this was her first time to attend Christian Day. She said a friend had an extra ticket and she decided to go that morning.

"I wasn't aware even it was Christian Day until we got there, but I was really glad that that was the day that I got to get a ticket and go," LeGrand said.

LeGrand enjoyed hearing from the players and Matheny, who she said impressed her a lot.

"I was surprised and impressed that they all got up and gave their testimony and had such great faith and were able to get up and talk about that in front of a crowd," she said.

It also was the first year for Shane Chandler to attend Christian Day. A member of First Baptist Church of Perryville, Mo., Chandler went to the game with his 13-year-old son Dane.

He was impressed by Robertson's remarks crediting God for the success of "Duck Dynasty."

"If they wouldn't have surrendered their lives to the Lord the way they did, Willie said they wouldn't be where they're at now," Chandler said. He said Robertson spoke about his father's past issues with alcohol and how faith was central to the turnaround in his life and marriage.

Referencing the trademark beards from "Duck Dynasty," Chandler said: "It was a day filled with beards and baseball."

lpresson@semissourian.com

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