New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean is a devout Christian who frequently speaks about how his faith guides both his life and baseball career.
While he grew up in a Christian household in North Carolina, he did not fully internalize his beliefs until his college years at Oklahoma State University. The definitive turning point in his spiritual life came after the death of his grandfather, a deeply religious man.
Attending the funeral and witnessing how many hundreds of lives his grandfather had impacted in a small town inspired McLean to re-examine his own life. He realized he wanted to use his much larger athletic platform to serve God and share the gospel.
Key aspects of how he practices and expresses his faith include:
Daily Accountability:
McLean posts daily Bible readings and devotionals on his personal Instagram account to hold himself accountable and encourage others.
Leadership:
He actively led team Bible studies while playing college baseball at Oklahoma State.
On-Field Grounding:
McLean has shared in media interviews that his faith provides him a sense of stability, giving him a constant space to offer praise after great games or find solace and perspective after tough losses.
