Good sport. (Making a Difference).(Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz helps establish a Christian school)(Brief Article)

On June 14th, Atlanta Braves relief pitcher John Smoltz registered his 20th save of the year, becoming only the fourth major league hurler to win both 20 games in one season and save 20 games in another. In 1996, after posting a 24-7 win-loss record, he received the year's Cy Young Award for pitching. His Major League Baseball Players Association biography describes him as "One of the best 'big game' pitchers of his era," who is "well known for the intensity he displays on the field or in any activity where W's [wins] and L's [losses] are posted."

World magazine for August 3rd devoted its cover story to Smoltz, describing not only his impressive sports achievements, but his Christian faith and his role in establishing a successful Christian school. Smoltz told World editor Marvin Olasky that though he had been steeped in religious ritual and good principles of conduct while growing up in Michigan, he had never developed "a personal relationship with Christ." That changed in 1996, however, when he "began to understand that apart from Christ, we can do nothing. I started to have a peace about things." The new outlook enabled him to keep the subsequent arm troubles that sidelined him for almost two seasons, and continued to plague him until late last year, in perspective. The 35-year-old father of four told World, "Now I know that whether I win or lose, God loves me just the same. Doesn't mean I won't put all my effort into the pitch -- God wants us to compete, hard. But being a baseball player is not who I am, it's a product of who I am, so I don't have to worry about losing my identity. Without fear of losing, I can concentrate all my attention on the moment, and that makes me win more often."

Off the field, Smoltz has become a key player in the Christian ...