THIS IS EPISODE 168 OF THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST
Chris Guccione is an umpire for Major League Baseball. He made his MLB debut on April 25, 2000, and has been a full-time umpire in the big leagues since 2009.
He has umpired many postseason series, including a division series six times, a league championship series twice, and his first World Series in 2016 (Cubs-Indians). He was also a part of the crew that umpired the 2011 MLB All-Star Game.
On this episode of the podcast, we hear Guccione’s incredible journey to Christ, why he finally made the decision to walk with the Lord, what it’s like to be a part of the umpiring crew at the World Series, and the difference between umpiring a regular-season game as opposed to the postseason.
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING DERWIN GRAY
Derwin Gray played five seasons in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers. He is currently the pastor of Transformation Church in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area. His latest book, “Lit Up With Love,” is out now.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Derwin Gray about the “naked preacher” who led him to Jesus, how his scars have helped him help others, and being an “everyday missionary” who is led by love as a follower of Christ.
St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
The season is young, but the St. Louis Cardinals have been one of the hottest-hitting teams in the major leagues. A big reason for that has been second baseman Brendan Donovan, who is hitting .380 entering Thursday, which ranks third in MLB. In 71 at-bats, he’s collected 27 hits with two home runs, 11 runs batted in and two stolen bases.
The Cardinals are in the MLB’s top five in hits, RBIs, slugging percentage, on-base plus slugging percentage, and they lead the majors in batting average. Donovan, who is hitting in the No. 3 hole for the Cardinals, extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a hit in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over the Houston Astros. He enjoyed a four-hit game on Monday.
“Every day is so different up here,” Donovan told reporters following Wednesday’s game. “Everyone is trying to attack you so many different ways. Your body feels different each and every day. But, for me, I think my routine has been pretty consistent. I think the recovery aspect is something that I’m leaning more into as of this past year.”
Donovan had surgery in August 2024 to repair a partial UCL tear in his right elbow, which he credited for a renewed focus on daily recovery in an effort to stay as sharp as possible. He’s begun to focus even more heavily on his preparation as well, he said.
Teammate Lars Nootbaar, who has also enjoyed a strong start to the 2025 campaign, credited new Cardinals hitting coach Brant Brown for implementing new approaches this season that have paid immediate dividends. One of those new tactics is for hitters to be more aggressive when they’re ahead in counts.
“The pressure’s on them, right?” Donovan said, referring to opposing pitchers. “I think we’ve done a good job making them come into our zone of, ‘What am I looking for? Where do I want it? And where do I want to hit it?'”
Donovan made his major league debut in 2022 and immediately made an impact, winning a Gold Glove Award as a utility player and finishing third in the National League Rookie of the Year race. Now with a career .286 batting average, Donovan has cemented himself as one of the most consistent players in the majors on both offense and defense.
He’s also been consistent in speaking publicly about his faith in Jesus and has credited his regular attendance at team chapel gatherings for helping him stay focused on his faith during the busy season, which often includes day games scheduled on Sundays, making it difficult for players to attend church.
“I think baseball actually does an amazing job. We do chapels in the dugout on Sundays,” he said in February on the “Dealin’ the Cards” podcast. “Last year we tried to go through the whole Bible. I think it’s pretty cool because not only does it bring you closer to your teammates, but it’s the most important thing you can do. It’s your framework or your guideline for how we’re supposed to live.”
Donovan was also a part of Christian Day at the Ballpark in July 2022, where he shared about the influence guys like former teammate Paul Goldschmidt and other veterans had on him during his rookie season. Donovan showed up to chapel shortly after he arrived in St. Louis and Goldschmidt immediately added him to their group text message thread.
That helped the rookie feel welcomed and encouraged right away, especially when it came to his faith.
“Going through the Word, going through chapels on the road, having our own Bible studies, it was immediate,” Donovan said during Christian Day. “The minute I got here, they pulled me in, and I’ve just been hooked since. To have those mentors out on the field and in the clubhouse that have great faith is just truly a blessing.”
Playing for an organization like the Cardinals, where winning is expected, can bring a lot of pressure, especially from a restless fanbase eager to see the team reach the playoffs for the first time since 2023. But Donovan has maintained that regardless of the pressure or platform he might receive as part of playing for the Cardinals, he intends to steward his position well.
“All of us are given these blessings and this platform to show faith, to show what kind of people we are and how we can impact others,” Donovan said during Christian Day in 2022. “To have success out here, we get to use that platform and we get to promote our faith. Obviously, we want to have success out here, but people remember you for what kind of person you are, so that’s how I try to view it.”
St. Louis opens a four-game series against the Mets in New York on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Catcher Harry Ford, Feb. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Less than a year after becoming aware of the global water crisis, Harry Ford was standing in the hot and humid Amazon rainforest. He made the decision to join Water Mission on a vision trip to see its safe water work in Peru after learning about the ministry through attending Pro Athletes Outreach’s MLB Increase Conference. Ford, a 22-year-old premier prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization, felt a pull on his heart when he heard that the global water crisis leaves 2 billion people worldwide without access to safe water.
“It blew my mind to hear that many people were suffering,” Ford said. “It lit my heart on fire, and I wanted to be part of what Water Mission was doing to address it.”
The Water Mission team in Peru. (Photo courtesy of Water Mission)
It was this passion that led Ford to travel with Water Mission staff and partners to Peru, where 57% of the population lives without access to safe water. The group visited several remote communities located deep in the Amazon rainforest, where safe water is extremely scarce. Ford met with Water Mission’s country program staff in Peru, learned about the organization’s community development work in the region, and visited with residents who have benefited from those projects.
“It was not like anywhere I had ever been before,” Ford said, recalling the poverty and living conditions in the area. “I was constantly asking myself, ‘Is this real life?’”
Ford had been moved by what he learned about the global water crisis at the Increase Conference, but seeing the devastation of its effects firsthand had a profound impact on his heart.
“These are real people,” Ford said. “You meet them and hear their stories and realize they’re just like you and me.”
As difficult as it was to see and hear about suffering, hope shined through. Ford and the group met with a woman who detailed her struggles before Water Mission implemented a safe water project in her community.
“When her kids got sick from drinking unsafe water, she had to spend a lot of her money and time traveling several hours by boat to get medicine for her children,” Ford recalled. “But now, she has safe water directly connected to her home. She’s saving so much time and money and has a newfound freedom in her life. That was so beautiful to see.”
The Water Mission team in Peru. (Photo courtesy of Water Mission)
Returning home from Peru, Ford continued to feel God’s call to help those impacted by the global water crisis. Alongside other professional athletes, Ford now serves as a brand ambassador for Water Mission, using his platform and standing as a professional athlete to tell others about their safe water and Living Water work around the world.
“I really just want to use my talent to serve the Lord,” Ford said. “I love Water Mission’s purpose, and I love that they are also spreading the Gospel.”
Ford has started the 2025 season with the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Raniers, and this year will be a special one. For every home run Ford hits, he will give a gift that provides two people with Water Mission’s life-saving safe water solutions. Ford is choosing to use these personal accomplishments to give back to a cause close to his heart, all in the name of Jesus.
“I’m just trying to find ways to incorporate what God loves into baseball,” Ford said. “It will be honoring to the Lord. My ultimate goal is to honor the Lord with this campaign.”
Ford understands the position that God has put him in to serve others. He considers it a blessing to serve the Kingdom through playing the game he loves. Not to mention, there’s the added motivation of knowing every home run he hits is providing people in need with the life-changing gift of safe water.
“The better I play, the more people will hear about the work and how important it is,” he said. “Hopefully, they’re moved the same way that I was.”
To learn more about Ford’s season-long campaign or join him in support, follow his Instagram.
If you are interested in learning more about Water Mission, visit their website at watermission.org.
Scott Linebrink in 2011 with the Braves. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)
THIS IS THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST WITH MATT FORTE & JASON ROMANO, FEATURING SCOTT LINEBRINK
Scott Linebrink is a former MLB pitcher and now the host of Sports Spectrum’s “Get in the Game” podcast. He pitched for 12 years in the big leagues with the San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. He made his MLB debut on April 15, 2000.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Scott Linebrink about the 25th anniversary of his MLB debut, what it means to be humble and others-focused, what the Bible says about serving, and encouragement for athletes on what it means to serve.
