Intentional Walk - Book Review

Okay, so maybe I'm biased, but I really enjoyed this book. There's nothing like something like this book to reinforce what you already know: that the St. Louis Cardinals are one of the greatest baseball organizations.

Each chapter of Intentional Walk, by Rob Rains, is an interview with a different Cardinal: players (Wainwright, Holliday, Freese, etc.), prospective players, and an equipment manager. And, of course, there is an interview with manager Mike Matheny. These interviews took place over the course of the 2012 season, when the Cardinals were trying to uphold their World Series champion title from 2011. (And we all know what happened, don't we? Sad face.)

Why were the people in this book chosen to be interviewed? Because they are all Christians.

It was refreshing to read about the faith that these guys have. The Cardinals organization is one where you don't have to hide your faith. There are weekly Bible studies, both during spring training and the regular season, and even the guys from the minor leagues, wives, and children are invited to attend. The players hang out when they're not playing baseball. Overall, everybody just seems really nice and really grounded. (And it's not just the Christian people who are nice. I feel like, right now at least, there isn't a Cardinals player that is a real jerk. Generally, all the Cardinals are likeable people.)

But many of these Cardinals didn't always have the strong faith they have today. Many of the guys interviewed in this book struggled with faith and their baseball careers early on in life. But eventually they came to Christ and learned to trust in whatever God's plan was for them.

God doesn't care what team wins or loses. But God does care that you go out there and give it your all both on the field and off the field.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”