Felipe does not know what his baseball future holds. It is his feeling that it could be that it is God’s will that he remain in the game. “ As a baseball player it could be that I might be able to influence more to ward Christ than I could if I were out of baseball. I will continue in this game to do my best. Every time I go to bat I want to glorify the Lord. This does not mean that I will always get a hit! But as long as I’m in baseball I will never quit trying. But try as I might, there are times when I’ll go down swinging. I hate to strike out as much as anyone in this game . . . but when I do, I pray that even in my attitude I can be a good witness for Him. In 1962 I was fortunate enough to go to bat nine consecutive times and each time get a hit. Shortly after I went to bat sixteen successive times without a hit! I admit that I felt bad for my self and more than that for our Team. But I couldn’t help but be reminded of what Job in the Old Testament had once said: ‘Naked I came into the world . . . the Lord gives, but the Lord also takes away. Praise ye the name of the Lord!’ I wish you would pray for me, not that I’ll be the great est ballplayer in the world, but that I might be a good witness and tes timony for Christ. I love the Lord Jesus and do pray that I will never be ashamed of Him.”
moved. Why . . . how could this poor friend even afford to send me such a telegram! But I was most impressed because was interested enough to even care for my soul. How could I turn my back on that Book that two years before he had so generously given? I took the Book from my suitcase and began to read. This Book showed me how little I was, that I was a sinner and in need of the Saviour. I found that being a Big Leaguer was not enough! I knew I wasn’t a complete man. I came to see that rainy day that the only one who could meet my real heart need was JESUS. I will never forget how the next day at old Seals Stadium A1 Worthington (now a pitcher with the Cincinnati Reds) who himself had become a Christian that same year, prayed with me and I knew then that Christ had received me and that I had received Him . . . and so that day, June 8, 1958, I played my first Big League game as a Christian. I’m so glad that Roque Martinez gave me that Book!” Since Felipe Alous has found the Christ of the Bible, this Book has be come the very “ guide” of his life. He seeks to spend up to two and three hours a day in the study of this Book. He reads it on the plane, he reads it in his room, and seemingly is never ashamed of being seen with that Book. It seems natural to him. It is his conviction that the Bible should be used and discussed. In fact, it was this conviction put into prac tice that was actually used of the Lord to prepare another of the Giants, José Pagan, for his own coming to Christ. Other o f the Giants are being influenced in like fashion in the things of the Lord.
until he’s of age! “ But,” says Felipe, “ I wanted to be polite and I accepted this Book!” Two years later, Felipe Alou was called to San Francisco. He had reached the Big Leagues. His first day in the City-by the Golden Gate he will never forget. It rained most of the day and he was confined to his room. “ I couldn’t fellowship much
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There are thousands throughout America who thank God that a young man by the name of Roque Martinez gave Felipe Alou that Bible. What a different world this would be if more Christians would “ hold forth the Word of Life” and unashamedly share the “ Good Book!” Felipe Alou autographs Gospels of John furnished by Pocket Testament League. Picture was taken at close of school meeting in Maracay, Venezeula.
Giving a personal testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ is Felipe A lou’s favorite occu pation. W ithout fear or hesitation he pre sents a clear-cut witness for the Saviour. with the other fellows on the Team because I didn’t know much of the language. I remember, too, how I re ceived several telegrams that day. Why, even Trujillo remembered! One telegram was from my friend Roque Martinez, the young man who had given me that Bible! He congratu lated me but he also told me that he had been praying for me. He had been praying that before I played my first Big League game I would become a Christian. I admit I was A P R IL, 1964
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