A few years ago, Aaron Nola needed quite a few things — a confidence boost, or maybe a better fastball, for starters.
In 2018, with an 11-2 record, a 2.41 ERA and a legitimate shot at the NL Cy Young Award for the upstart and potentially playoff-bound Philadelphia Phillies, Nola seems like he doesn’t need anything.
Just don’t tell that to him.
Not only is Nola the unquestioned ace of a Phillies staff that features former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, but he’s also an unabashed Christian who’s acknowledged that God is all he truly needs. The 25-year-old righty confirms as much in Rob Maaddi’s “Baseball Faith,” a collection of 52 testimonials from MLB players:
“The Bible has all the answers. It tells you how to live … It’s all about faith in the Lord and putting Him first. He’s always with you. You’re in this together. You’re never alone. He’s everything you need.”
In the book, Nola also highlights Proverbs 20:24 — “A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?” — as one of his favorite verses.
As Maaddi documented on Twitter this week, Nola’s walk-up song during his starts for the Phillies is “I Am Second,” by the Christian band Newsboys.
Love @AaronNola027 walk-up song.
“I'm second to one
Redeemer, the way, the light
I'm second to one
The savior
No compromise
I'm laying everything
At the foot of the cross
My pride, my life, my all
I am second to one
And he is second to none”#Phillies #Ace @newsboys pic.twitter.com/Tf5VwyXhMZ— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) July 4, 2018
The pitcher himself has alluded to his faith via Twitter as well:
https://twitter.com/AaronNola027/status/977746703091675136
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