{"id":28637,"date":"2023-09-20T10:44:28","date_gmt":"2023-09-20T14:44:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/?p=28637"},"modified":"2023-10-01T19:53:26","modified_gmt":"2023-10-01T23:53:26","slug":"texas-rangers-rookie-wears-jesus-won-shirt-points-to-jesus-during-first-mlb-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2023\/09\/texas-rangers-rookie-wears-jesus-won-shirt-points-to-jesus-during-first-mlb-week.html","title":{"rendered":"Texas Rangers Rookie Wears ‘Jesus Won’ Shirt, Points to Jesus"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Texas Rangers\/Facebook<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Major League Baseball newcomer Evan Carter uses his platform to point people to Jesus. The Texas Ranger rookie has had a successful five days. He\u2019s already hit his first home run in the big leagues, but that\u2019s not the only reason he\u2019s drawing attention. Earlier this month, the 21-year-old boldly proclaimed his faith.<\/p>\n

The words \u201cJesus Won\u201d were printed in white and red on a blue shirt the young athlete wore during warmups. The outfielder\u2019s manager, Bruce Bochy, has praised Carter for his character on the field. He recently told The Dallas Morning News, \u201cWe\u2019ve said, even going back to spring training, that the patience and discipline he had, at that time, as a 20-year-old, that\u2019s not something that just happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued, \u201cHe\u2019s worked at it. That\u2019s what he does all the time. He tries to shrink the strike zone and make pitchers come to him. He doesn\u2019t panic at two strikes. He just gives you quality at-bats. He\u2019s advanced for his age. That\u2019s why he is up here.\u201d During\u00a0an interview on 105.3 The Fan, Bochy also lauded Carter, crediting the rookie for his joyful spirit.<\/p>\n

Carter said in response, \u201cIt\u2019s not worth doing if you\u2019re not having fun. It\u2019s definitely \u2014 it\u2019s the job that you chose, so you better love it. I do. I love the game, and I love playing, I love competing, so, really, it\u2019s a joyful thing for me.\u201d Just over three years ago, Elizabethton, Tenn., high school senior Evan Carter saw his baseball season end after three games due to closures instigated by the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n