Baseball Star ‘Blessed’ to Make Return After Year-Long Injury
By Movieguide® Contributor
Cleaveland Guardians starter Matthew Boyd has finally returned to the mound after an injury he sustained a year ago.
According to Sports Spectrum, “The 33-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery last year and made his return to the big leagues Tuesday night, allowing three hits and one earned run in 5.1 innings as Cleveland beat the Chicago Cubs, 2-1. He retired the last nine batters he faced in his first appearance since June 26, 2023.”
In a post-game interview, Boyd expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play the game he loves.
“I’m grateful to be part of this club,” he said. “I truly feel blessed to be here. Today was awesome. It was a milestone, but just the beginning, right? The goal is much bigger than that.”
His faith in Christ got him through his recovery.
“It feels like a narrow path that’s tough to stay on right now, but I know I’m called to play baseball and glorify Him through the game,” Boyd wrote in a devotional for the Sports Spectrum Magazine. “And it’s not just a calling, it’s what I’m commanded to do until He calls me in a different direction.”
Despite the year-long injury and even changing teams, he never lost his faith in God. In fact, it drew him closer to Christ.
“I trust God and know He has good things planned for me,” he wrote. “I know He’s got me and I’m His handiwork. Every time there have been these unknowns in my life, He has come through better than I could have imagined, and I know He’s going to do it again. But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t often ask Him, ‘When’s it going to happen?’”
“I don’t have to like the situation, but through my faith in God, I do know that on the other side it’s going to be amazing,” he added. “That’s where my peace comes from. I believe my best baseball is ahead of me. I still believe I’m going to win a World Series and be one of the best starting pitchers in this game.”
For more inspiring sports stories, check out Sports Spectrum.
Not only does Boyd feel compelled to glorify Christ on the mound, but he feels the same at home.
He and his wife, Ashley, have co-founded a nonprofit organization called Kingdom Home.
“Kingdom Home’s mission is to end child sex slavery through prevention. We do this by providing a safe place for children who were once at risk of entering the sex trade. It is a place of hope, where all of their needs are met. We equip the children in our care to live abundant lives and be difference makers in their communities,” the organization’s website reads.