MLB All-Star Catcher Shares How Jesus Comes Before His Career

MLB All-Star Catcher Shares How Jesus Comes Before His Career

By Cooper Dowd, Staff Writer

JT Realmuto, MLB All-Star and Catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, says that the most important thing in his life is following Christ and trusts that God has a plan despite nearing the end of his contract.

In a recent interview with a local podcast called “Faith on the Field Show,” Realmuto discussed his family, his career and living out the Gospel.

The 29-year-old is considered one of the best catchers in baseball by the MLB. But after being booted from playoff contention after a series loss to the Washington Nationals, Realmuto decided to have knee surgery to repair his meniscus.

“It would pop, just a little discomfort,” Realmuto told reporters. “It wasn’t really painful, but I woke up and it was a little more tender, a little more pain. Definitely sore.”

“We’re going to be smart about it,” Realmuto said. “Because we all know where we stand right now in the standings. I don’t want to push it and risk hurting myself for next year or anything like that.”

Despite missing the postseason in his first season with the Phillies, Realmuto says he trusts God with his injury and career.

“There’s no telling what’s going to happen in the next few months. It’s obviously a big time in our career, but my wife (Alexis) and I constantly have this conversation that it’s not really worth it for us to think about or stress about or worry about because He’s already got a plan,” Realmuto said.

Realmuto also recognized that there is uncertainty outside of the MLB and said he relies on his faith when life seems up in the air.

“Especially in today’s day, being able to fall back on that relationship with Christ, if that’s the center of your life, all these problems that you’re going through, all these worries that you have, always seem a lot smaller,” Realmuto said. “You can always have faith in Him that He’ll be there with you to get you through that.”

Although Realmuto grew up in the church, he said that it was not until he met his wife, Alexis, that he began living for Christ.

“I wasn’t necessarily on fire for Him,” Realmuto said. “I wasn’t living for Him until I met [my wife].”

The couple got married in 2016 and now have two daughters. Realmuto said that God is a priority for him and his family.

“It’s extremely important to me in life to know that the first thing I am… before I’m a father, before I’m a baseball player, the No. 1 thing I am is a follower of Christ,” Realmuto declared.

Despite the accolades and career in professional baseball, Realmuto remembers James 4:7 as a verse he enjoyed growing up and now tries to live out.

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” James 4:7 reads.

“I kind of like that word, ‘humble.’ Just for me, growing up, it was always extremely important to me and my family just to stay humble in everything that you do,” Realmuto said. “Just to know that nothing is possible without Jesus and the gifts that He’s given me. I know that I’m out there doing the work and hitting the ball but it’s all because of Jesus and what He gave me and the gifts that He’s blessed me with.”