Beltran’s reliance on Christ brings him peace and perspective when facing the challenges of a MajorLeague, major-money, major-pressure baseball career. “As soon as I come to the ballpark, I read my Bible. During the game, I think about what I read.” Every time he steps onto the field, he also thinks
Even talented, successful athletes like Carlos Beltran can find themselves feeling incomplete. That’s because we’re all incomplete without a relationship with Jesus Christ, who is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). If you too feel something vital is missing from your life, you can invite Jesus to be your Savior in words like this:
about his favorite verse—“I can do all things through
Dear God, I realize that I am a sinner in need
him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). He says
of a Savior. I believe that Jesus Christ died
it’s the truths found in that verse that give him the
on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me
ability to do whatever God’s will is, both on and off the
and grant me eternal life with You in heaven.
field. “The way I see it, everything that I do is for God.
Amen.
I feel He put me here for a reason. Every time I take the field, I tell Him, ‘I’m doing this in Your name.’” Beltran continues to work hard to improve his game and play to his full potential, grateful that so many of his dreams have come true. Still, he remains focused on the life to come. “It’s after this life that matters,” says the centerfielder. “When I die, I know that I’m going to heaven because I accepted Christ and He lives in me. I believe, because I’m saved, that I’m going to spend eternity with God.”
Good News Publishers 1300 Crescent Street Wheaton, IL 60187 For helpful Christian literature, please write to the address above or visit our website at www.goodnewstracts.org. Bible references: ESV.
©2006 Good News Publishers. Cover images ©APPhotos Printed in U.S.A. Edited and reprinted with permission of Sports Spectrum, a bimonthly magazine published by Sports Spectrum (www.sportsspectrum.com), Indian Trail, North Carolina.
“Everything I do is for God.”
Carlos Beltran’s Career Highlights
drafted by the Kansas City Royals. His boyhood dream
2001, when he was playing for the Royals. Former
had begun to come true.
teammate Luis Alicea invited him to speak with a pastor
After being called up from the Minors in
who had flown in from Puerto Rico. Carlos and his wife,
September 1998, Beltran was in the big leagues for
Jessica, had considered themselves good people—“I’ve
Named to the All-Star team in 2004
good. He has since become one of the biggest names
always had a fear of God,” Carlos says. But having it
>>
Stole 42 bases out of 45 attempts in 2004
in baseball, fulfilling his childhood dream and bringing
all and being good people hadn’t given them peace
>>
Batted .435 with 14 RBIs and 8 home runs in
him everything that comes with the job—fame, money,
with God.
the 2004 postseason
and devoted fans.
>>
1999 American League Rookie of the Year
>>
“I want to be a baseball player when I grow up.” Countless little boys share this big dream, but only a select few possess the talent and discipline to accomplish it. For Carlos Beltran, a quiet boy growing up in Puerto Rico, becoming a star
That night the pastor explained about God’s
“I want to have a better life.” To most, these things would seem like
holiness and love, and how our sinfulness separates us from God: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). He told how we could be forgiven for our sins because of Jesus Christ’s payment
enough. But Carlos discovered
for sins when he died on the cross. As the Bible says,
in himself a longing, a deep
“But God shows His love for us in that while we were
sense of wanting more. “I’d been feeling like I
still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The pastor invited the Beltrans to place their trust
wanted to have a better
entirely in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins
At an early age he showed great potential. By high
life, and I found it in
and to receive eternal life. They did, right then. “It was
school his talents as a five-tool player—fielding,
God,” he says.
the biggest decision that I ever made,” asserts Carlos.
in the Majors someday was more than just a dream.
throwing, hitting for average, hitting for power, and
It happened one
“It’s not that everything is perfect now, or that my wife
stealing bases—had attracted the attention of Major
night in a Kansas City hotel
and I don’t have struggles anymore. But it’s been easier
League scouts. After graduating in 1995, Beltran was
room after a home game in
going through it with Christ in our lives.”
Even talented, successful athletes like Carlos Beltran can find themselves feeling incomplete. That’s because we’re all incomplete without a relationship with Jesus Christ, who is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). If you too feel something vital is missing from your life, you can invite Jesus to be your Savior in words like this: Dear God, I realize that I am a sinner in need of a Savior. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. Please forgive me and grant me eternal life with You in heaven. Amen.
Carlos Beltran: Dreaming Big! Reflects on the life of Carlos Beltran as a Major League baseball player and as a follower of Jesus Christ. Bible references: ESV. Package contains 25 tracts.
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