For This MLB Player, Baseball Is a ‘Vehicle’ to Share Jesus

Published: June 24, 2026

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 05: Richie Palacios #1 of the Tampa Bay Rays walks during the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on June 05, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)

By Mallory Mattingly

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Richie Jordan Palacios uses baseball as a “vehicle” to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“For me, it’s just, you know, when I wake up in the morning and pray to God and just know that everything that’s going to go on through this day, that He’s in control, and I’m able to be free with that,” the outfielder told Jesus Over Baseball of what keeps his faith strong in tough moments.

“So, when I do go 0-4, I don’t become a different person now,” he explained. “I don’t become an angry person. I still have the faith of God within me. I still have the joy of the Lord in me.”

“So, whether I go 0-4 or 4-0, I can still go and say, ‘Thank you, God, for what you’ve done for me, for who you are and the ability to be able to impact the people around me positively, whether I do good or don’t do good,'” he emphasized.

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When asked about what Bible verse he leans on, he pointed to Colossians 3:23, which says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

“So, when I’m playing this game, I’m not playing this game for the fans. I’m not playing this game to get recognition. I’m playing this game because God’s told me that this is the vehicle that He wants to use in my life to affect people and share His word,” Palacios concluded.

The “Christ Follower,” as he describes himself in his Instagram bio, is very outspoken about his faith in the Lord, and he uses his social media platform to point people to God.

“Let’s Keep The Pressure On Boys !!!!!!! | Glory to God,” the outfielder wrote in one post of a video of him scoring two RBIs off a single against the New York Yankees.

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In another post showing off a new pair of custom Kobe cleats, Palacios wrote, “Trust in Him Alone🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽.”

“More Life, More Gratitude, More Glory to God 🙏🏽🥳,” he posted last month.

On Easter Sunday this year, Palacios shared some snaps of him celebrating, writing, “Resurrection Day Mood 🙏🏽🙏🏽” with the hashtag “#HeisRisen.”

Through the inevitable highs and lows of a grueling MLB season, the Rays outfielder remains anchored by a purpose larger than the game itself: pointing people to Christ.

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