THE INCREASE: Men Need Real Talk - Adam LaRoche

Baseball The Increase

THE INCREASE: Men Need Real Talk – Adam LaRoche

By The Increase Oct 14, 2019

(Photo courtesy of Adam LaRoche)

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Baseball

Dominant relief pitcher Billy Wagner enshrined in Baseball Hall of Fame: ‘God is great’

By Kevin Mercer Jul 28, 2025

Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Billy Wagner at the induction ceremony, July 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

“Billy the Kid” is officially a Hall of Famer.

Billy Wagner, a lefty relief pitcher who compiled a 2.31 ERA, 1,196 strikeouts and 422 saves across 16 MLB seasons (1995-2010), was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, on Sunday, along with the rest of the 2025 class. Known for his 100-mph fastball, he played with five teams during his career — perhaps most notably with the Houston Astros (1995-2003) — and was a seven-time All-Star.

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“I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for my Lord and Savior,” Wagner said during his induction speech. “Without You, none of this would be possible, and with You, nothing is impossible. Not even a 5-foot-nothing, 100-pound-nothing making the Hall of Fame. God is great.”

Wagner had a difficult upbringing in rural southwest Virginia. A natural righty, Wagner learned to throw left-handed after breaking his right arm twice in quick succession as a kid. Due to his small stature in high school, he did not receive much attention from professional or Division I college scouts, so he chose to follow his cousin to nearby D-III Ferrum College. Yet, after a tremendous career with the Panthers, he received that long-awaited attention from scouts — the Astros drafted him No. 12 overall in the 1993 MLB Draft.

Wagner retired with an incredible 11.92 strikeouts-per-nine-innings while opponents had a batting average of just .187, both of which are the best career totals of any pitcher in MLB history.

And now, Wagner has officially become the first baseball player from a D-III college to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, and also the first left-handed relief pitcher to reach Cooperstown.

Billy Wagner will forever be known as the first left-handed relief pitcher to be inducted into the @BaseballHall 😮

Take a deep dive into Wagner's incredible Hall of Fame career: https://t.co/pXwm8aQjMN pic.twitter.com/inPOwF1yKu

— MLB (@MLB) July 25, 2025

Wagner made sure to acknowledge his family, the fans, the other inductees and the many teammates who impacted his life, including former Astros teammate Lance Berkman, who Wagner says provided steadfast accountability with his faith. He then concluded his speech with a word of advice to the younger generation.

“To every kid out there, this is my message to you,” Wagner said. “Obstacles are not a road block. Obstacles are stepping stones. They build you and shape you, refine you. I wasn’t the biggest. I wasn’t left-handed. I wasn’t supposed to be here.

“There were only seven full-time relievers in the Hall of Fame. Now, there are eight because I refused to give up or give in. I refused to listen to the outside critics, and I never stopped working. That’s what this game does for you: It teaches you about life. It teaches you how to persevere. Don’t fear failure. Embrace it, because perseverance isn’t just a trait, it’s the path to greatness. … Play to win, and let God take of the rest. Thank you and God bless.”

Wagner appeared on Sports Spectrum’s “Get in the Game” podcast with former MLB pitcher Scott Linebrink last February, when he discussed his upcoming Hall of Fame enshrinement, walking with God as an MLB player, and using his platform to serve others.

“God has blessed me with so much, but He wants me to use that for something more,” Wagner said on the podcast. ” … This isn’t truly all about me. This is about the blessing and the grace of God that got me here. Because by no means should I be where I’m at today with all that I have done and the things that I’ve said and fell so short. But God’s blessed me with grace and mercy now for me to go out there and say, ‘Hey, I do believe in Jesus Christ. I do know that there is a higher power.'”

From Division III ➡️ Cooperstown

Billy Wagner is an inspiration to all ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1R0coihLXT

— MLB (@MLB) July 27, 2025

Wagner was in his final year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame, and being selected is certainly an accomplishment that all players aspire to, but Wagner was already at peace. He explained why in 2010, his final season in the majors.

“My biggest goal and what I want people to see in me is that I love the Lord and He’s the answer,” Wagner told the Christian Broadcasting Network. “He’s the way, and He’s the rock. All you have to do is lean on Him and know you don’t have to worry. He’s gonna give you that peace.”

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

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Baseball Get in the Game Podcast

Shortstop Nick Ahmed announces retirement from MLB after 12 seasons, ‘careful prayer’

By Cole Claybourn Jul 24, 2025

Former MLB player Nick Ahmed, July 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt York)

After 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, veteran shortstop Nick Ahmed is hanging up his cleats.

Best known for his long tenure with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Ahmed announced his retirement Thursday during an appearance on Sports Spectrum’s “Get in the Game” podcast, hosted by former MLB pitcher Scott Linebrink.

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“With a lot of careful time, prayer, reflection and conversation with my wife, Amanda, I’m officially retiring from playing baseball,” he said. “It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life, for sure.”

Baseball was his “first love,” Ahmed said, and “something that I’ve enjoyed almost more than anything besides my faith and family and life.”

He continued later: “The game has given me so much, and I have so much to be thankful for from it. But now it’s time to move on — move on to the next chapter of life and embrace that journey.”

Ahmed made sure to give thanks to God in his announcement, saying that without Him, his career would never have been possible. He also thanked Amanda, whom he started dating in high school and who has supported him throughout his baseball journey.

“To play this game with a family is very challenging and taxing,” he said on the podcast. “And I had the absolute most amazing wife at home supporting me, encouraging me, holding it down at home, just raising our children extremely well. Through all the highs and lows that I had, she was constant and always there.”

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Ahmed spent 10 seasons as a shortstop for the Diamondbacks, winning back-to-back Gold Glove Awards in 2018 and 2019 while also enjoying arguably his best offensive production. He hit 16 home runs with 70 RBIs in 2018 and 19 home runs with 82 RBIs in 2019. Both of his 2019 totals were career highs.

Ahmed remained Arizona’s regular starter at shortstop until an injury-riddled 2022 season, and he was designated for assignment and released late in the 2023 campaign. He spent last season bouncing between the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres before signing with the Texas Rangers this February.

The Rangers released him for good on May 2.

Ahmed entertained a couple of offers to continue playing, but the mounting injuries and the prospect of losing out on family time ultimately swayed him.

“It was time to move on, and God made that very clear after a lot of time and prayer after I got let go by the Rangers this year,” he said on the podcast. “So it didn’t end exactly how I wanted it to. Every player wants to go out on top and win the World Series and then ride off into the sunset. But that wasn’t the story of my career. And I’m OK with that. I’ve come to accept that.”

9 years ago today I got to make my MLB debut and fulfill a childhood dream! A lot has changed since then including 3 kids and lots of ups and downs but I am still going thanks to God, my incredible wife and so many other family members, friends, coaches and teammates! pic.twitter.com/gEL94NusB7

— Nick Ahmed (@NickAhmed13) June 30, 2023

Despite all of the on-field success throughout his MLB career, Ahmed had perhaps his most significant moment on a baseball diamond in 2013, when he surrendered his life to Christ in the middle of a game with the Double-A Mobile (Alabama) BayBears. By that time, the Holy Spirit had been stirring in his heart for a while and he couldn’t ignore the conviction any longer.

The euphoria Ahmed experienced in his new life in Christ contrasted sharply with the hollowness of his life before.

The Atlanta Braves drafted Ahmed in the second round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of the University of Connecticut, and after enjoying a nice signing bonus, he was expecting to find ultimate fulfillment in the perks that came with being a successful baseball player.

“I realized really quickly that I was still empty, that I was still missing something,” Ahmed said on “Get in the Game” in 2021. “I didn’t know what it was at the time, so I just dove in deeper to trying to be the best player I could, striving for that achievement and success each and every day.”

Then, he got traded to the Diamondbacks and had to navigate all that comes with being traded across the country, including a long-distance engagement with Amanda. Meanwhile, he was struggling on the field and his dreams of playing in the majors grew dimmer by the day.

“I was the worst baseball player you could imagine,” he said in 2021. “I played every single day for two months, and I don’t know why I kept playing. I was so bad.”

He faced everything from anxiety and depression to worry and fear, and he had no way to deal with any of it. His minor league manager, Andy Green, walked through it all with him. “[Green] opened my eyes to what it meant to be a man of faith in the game of baseball,” Ahmed said.

Green eventually invited Ahmed to Baseball Chapel, a ministry where pastors minister to baseball players. It was then that Ahmed got his first Bible and began to read it regularly.

“I realized I was doing life my way, and God wanted me to do it a completely different way,” he remembered in 2021. “Hot night in Mobile, and I had two terrible at-bats to start the game. I just realized that I had no clue how to live life and I was jacking it up real bad.

“So I ran out between the fourth and fifth inning to shortstop. … I just turned around and faced center field, closed my eyes and prayed and asked God to come into my life. I surrendered my way of living and said, ‘I’m going to trust You and follow You.’ I felt the Holy Spirit come in, felt this overwhelming sense of peace, and I’ve just been walking with God ever since.”

In retirement, Ahmed plans to devote more time to his company, 7Pillar, which he and his brother, Mike, founded “to help athletes and coaches build unshakable foundations across identity, mindset, lifestyle, relationships, nutrition, fitness, and recovery.” He is also eager to spend more time with his family, and above all, to talk about Jesus whenever he can.

“Whoever I come into contact with, just sharing the love of Christ with them, just letting my cup be filled up by Him so that I can overflow out into the lives of others,” he said on Thursday’s podcast episode. “… Just being a servant and being a good steward of the people, the relationships, the time and the connections that I’ve been able to make through the game is something I’m very excited about.”

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

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Baseball What's Up Podcast

WHAT’S UP PODCAST: Tate McKee – Georgia Tech Pitcher

By Sports Spectrum Jul 21, 2025

(Photo courtesy of Tate McKee)

THIS IS SPORTS SPECTRUM’S WHAT’S UP PODCAST
WITH ANNABELLE HASSELBECK

On today’s episode of Sports Spectrum’s “What’s Up” podcast, we have Georgia Tech pitcher Tate McKee.

Tate shares about his journey to Georgia Tech, how consistency off the field has helped him spiritually as well as on the pitching mound, his favorite music, and fun summer plans. Tate is someone you need to be cheering for!

“What’s Up” is part of the Sports Spectrum Podcast Network.

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<

Tate McKee matched his career high in strikeouts (10) today in a strong outing against Cal.

FB hit 96 early with two shapes, but breaking ball was star of show. Two-plane slider with depth and tilt in the 82-86 MPH range stymied hitters, collecting 13 whiffs total.

'26 eligible pic.twitter.com/73YWDqWeDW

— Tyler Jennings (@TylerJennings24) May 22, 2025

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Faith-driven Cubs ace Matthew Boyd opts not to pitch in All-Star Game with eye toward October

By Cole Claybourn Jul 17, 2025

Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The 2025 season has been sort of a redemption story for Chicago Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd. After battling through two major elbow surgeries and bouncing between several teams, the veteran left-hander is putting together the best season of his career.

With a 10-3 record and a 2.34 earned run average, he’s emerged as the ace on the Cubs staff and will be relied upon heavily to help them get back to the postseason for the first time since 2020. Understandably, he’d like to keep that going all the way through October.

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But after eight shutout innings Saturday against the New York Yankees, he’s already thrown 111.2 innings this year at the All-Star break, surpassing the 110.2 innings he logged during the ’23 and ’24 seasons combined as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.

That’s why despite being selected to his first All-Star Game, the 34-year-old made the difficult decision to not pitch in Tuesday’s game (though he did attend with his family).

“Before I had the selection, before I got that honor, we were talking about just with everything in mind, with the innings last year and going into this break and how there’s an opportunity to kinda prolong the break depending on when I come back and pitch,” Boyd told reporters Saturday. “And using it to our advantage that there’s only so many natural breaks you have in the season. So there’s a chance to kinda give you a breather, give you a blow if you will.

“‘Cause everything’s going great. But just knowing that [I’m] on pace to throw more innings than I have since 2019 — or already have thrown. So it was just kinda built in that way.”

All-Star looks good on you, Matt 😌 pic.twitter.com/w8rdJOkqoV

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 6, 2025

He threw a career-high 185.1 innings while with the Tigers in 2019, but struggled during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with a 3-7 record and a league-worst 6.71 ERA. After a 3-8 record, 3.89 ERA and more injuries in 2021, the Tigers let him enter free agency. Since then, he’s spent time with the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, the Tigers again, the Cleveland Guardians and now the Cubs.

But that 2019 season is the last time he’s topped 100 innings, so the Cubs are being extra cautious. It’s why manager Craig Counsell pulled him after eight innings of shutout ball against the Yankees despite throwing just 85 pitches.

“I hope there’s another chance to pitch in the All-Star Game,” Boyd said. “But the goal this year is to be fresh all the way through October. And something that we just gotta keep in mind as we go forward.”

Matthew Boyd explains the decision not to pitch in the All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/fyJJ43NsCy

— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) July 12, 2025

That kind of long-term vision didn’t come easily. In a devotional Boyd wrote for the Spring 2024 edition of Sports Spectrum Magazine, he opened up about the emotional and spiritual toll of his journey.

“I didn’t want to have a second surgery,” he wrote. “I made it through so much of my career without needing one, but now I’ve had two in basically two years. So I’m back in rehab and will likely be sidelined until this summer. I’m also a free agent, so I don’t know what’s going to happen as I go through this rehab process. This is not how I drew it up.”

And yet, despite the pain, the waiting and the doubts, Boyd found peace and perseverance in his faith in God.

“I trust God and know He has good things planned for me,” he wrote. “I know He’s got me and I’m His handiwork. … I believe my best baseball is ahead of me. I still believe I’m going to win a World Series and be one of the best starting pitchers in this game.”

That belief is rooted in Scripture, particularly verses like Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…” — and James 1, which reminds us to “consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds.”

Boyd is no stranger to the postseason. Last year, he went from being a free agent to helping the Guardians defeat his previous team, the Tigers, in the winner-goes-on Game 5 of the American League Division Series. Boyd threw two scoreless innings, including five strikeouts, in that game, then followed it up with five innings of one-run ball while allowing just two hits in a 7-5 win over the Yankees in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series.

“I don’t write the script, but the One who does writes it a lot better than me, as I’ve said many times,” he said in a press conference before Game 5 of the ALDS. “It’s pretty cool.”

Boyd, who on social media says he plays for an “Audience of One,” wrote another devotional for Sports Spectrum in the Spring 2023 magazine that further reveals the spiritual depth behind his decisions.

“The past year has been interesting,” he wrote. “I had surgery on my throwing arm toward the end of 2021, left Detroit after more than six seasons to sign with San Francisco as a free agent, spent much of 2022 rehabbing, was traded to Seattle before I could even make an appearance with the Giants, made 10 appearances as a Mariner (plus one in the playoffs), then became a free agent again, and now I’m back in Detroit. It’s been a whirlwind.

“One thing that was paramount through all my uncertainty was, ‘What’s my identity?’ And more specifically, ‘What does God tell me my identity is?'”

In the quiet of rehab and reflection, Boyd came to see that competition — not just on the mound, but in his role as a husband, father and believer — could still define him.

“I could compete in my rehab. I could compete… in being a parent… to make my marriage thrive,” he wrote. “We all need to know what God calls us. … We need to discover the promises and truth God has spoken over our lives.”

>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<