The Lord's got me where he wants me in professional ball andBio/a helped make my transition to that UXJrld a lot easier. -Todd Worrell, St. Louis Cardinals
Todd Worrell- the relief-pitching sensati on of the St. Louis Cardinals and the focus of the enti resporting nation in game six of the World Series-is also a Biota alumnus. Shortly after his performance during the World Series, he returned to campus to chat with his Biola coach Charlie Sarver, and to watch the Biola baseball team-especially his brother, Tim-practice for the 1986 season. Like many all-American youngsters, Todd started his baseball career bypitching hisway through little league and on into high school. At Biola, he played both baseball and basketball his freshman year, then discovered, "I had to decide what I wanted to play because I couldn 't do mystudies well and participate in two different sports. So I chose baseball." Todd's "bigbreak" came during a 1982 Biola game at which a handful of scouts were on hand to evaluate a member of the opposing team. Afew months later, after graduation , Todd traded cap and gown for jerseyand cleats as a first-round draft cho ice of the St. Louis Cardinals. He was the 26th pick in the nation. One month after shifting from a minor league starter to a relief-pitcher for the majors , Todd found himself in the World Series. In the fifth confrontation of that series, Todd not only saved the game for the Cardinals, giving them a 3-2 lead, but he did it bystriking out six consecutive batters, tying a Wo rld Series record. Biola Coach Sarver said he is impressedwith the way Todd has handled the pressure. Todd attributes his stability to his relation ship with Jesus Christ. "The peace of God really gripped me this year-more than anyother time," he said in an interview with a reporter for Biola's student newspaper. He added that he 's learned to stand up for what he believes, because the faith he has "works." "I know it works ," Todd said. ·' I've had proof of it in myown life, and there 's no reason whyI shou ld be intimidated on or off the field. It's gotten to the point where the other players know the morals I keep and the stan dards I live by, and for that I get a lot of respect. When it comes right down to it , words are cheap. It's how you live that 's bigger than anything."
According to Todd, eleven other St. Louis players profess Christianity. These men help form a supporting system wh ich includes weeklyBible studies and Sunday chapels, evidence, Todd believes, of a growing conse rvatism within professional baseball. "Baseball isn 't what it used to be ," he commented. 'There used to be a mentality of booze, women and having a good time-and if you didn 't join in , you weren 't a part of the group. But now that chapels have started, baseball is coming back to a better balance. It shows people, hey, there are guys out therewho love the Lord.'' While at Biola, Todd studied Christian Education and pre pared for ministry as a youth pastor "I came to Biola to get an education," he said. '· J didn 't come with the intention of playing ball and going on to professional baseball at this point in my life . But it was God 'sperfect timing-and now I'm in a position where I can share what Christ means in my life and how He works in my baseball. The Lord opened a big door for me in baseball to use the education I received during my five years at Biola," he added. Off-seasons, Todd devotes his time to speaking engagements and sharing his testimonywith youth. He also has plans to start a Christian-oriented camp for athletes. "The Lord 's got me where He wants me in profess ional ball ," Todd commented, "and I think it was in His perfect timing the way I got hereand how everything'sworked out to this point. And I'm glad I learned what I did at Biola," he added, "because when I got out into the world, things hit me hard and fast. My time at Biola helped make my transition into that world a lot eas ier."
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