During a game in Nashville, Tennessee, minor league baseball player Wes Clarke, who plays first base for the Nashville Sounds, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, was baptized on the field by a teammate.
The baptism took place after a 4-1 victory against the Memphis Redbirds, where right-fielder Brewer Hicklen hit a two-run homerun during the game.
Following the outstanding performance, Hicklen proceeded to fulfill the responsibility of baptizing his fellow Christian. Both men sported T-shirts with the words “Jesus Won” as Clarke received his baptism on the field at First Horizon Park.
“Had the privilege of being baptized yesterday on the field by one of my good friends [Brewer Hicklen] after our game,” Clarke said on Instagram.
“Thank you Jesus for this amazing moment in my life. I am incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many supportive people. It was such a special night!” the first baseman wrote, with photos that included his pregnant wife, who was in attendance.
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Hicklen, 28, took an unconventional route to officiate the baptism ceremony for his teammate.
Following a brief six-game appearance in the major leagues in 2022, he was traded from the Kansas City Royals to the Philadelphia Phillies organization in August 2023, as per Sports Spectrum.
In November of the same year, Hicklen chose free agency and contemplated his future destination, seeking guidance from both himself and God.
“I just asked God, ‘Place me somewhere where You feel like I could have some influence and have some opportunity to make eternal connections with some teammates,'” Hicklen recalled.
Shortly after signing with the Brewers organization, he recognized an opportunity to serve as a spiritual leader within the team.
He joined a small Bible study group which quickly grew in size, reflecting a larger trend of athletes openly expressing their faith within their respective organizations.
This is exemplified by the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, where chaplain Kenneth Lock leads prayer circles and encourages players to strive for personal growth.
As for Clarke, a 24-year-old from Richmond, Virginia, his journey from playing at a Christian academy to being drafted by the Brewers in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB draft reflects the increasing intersection of sports and faith.
