From 1955 to 1966, Bobby Richardson played baseball for the Yankees.

God used his time in the major leagues to impact lives through baseball. Richardson grew up in Sumter, SC, just down the road from an elementary school, YMCA, and Grace Baptist Church. He has lived there all his life, and it has always been his home base throughout his career. Richardson competed in seven World Series, won three of them, and was an eight-time All-Star when he retired at 31.

Balancing the Team Dynamic

A Yankee scout recruited Richardson out of high school. By 19, he was playing in the major leagues. “When I joined the Yankees, they were a team that won. I kind of took a stand as far as the Lord is concerned, and they made a little bit of fun of it,” Richardson remembered. “The Lord just worked it out.”

Spreading the Gospel through Baseball

During his time with the Yankees, the Lord used Richardson in powerful ways. Many teammates, including the ball club owners, came to know Christ, and Bible studies were hosted in the locker room. “A Christian sports writer and I went and met with the Commissioner of Baseball,” Richardson recalled. “He gave us $20,000 to start a baseball chapel. Now, every team in the major leagues has a baseball chapel.”

When Richardson retired at 31, he faced criticism. “‘Why would you retire from the Yankees at a time when they were winning? You could have played another five or six years.’” The reality was traveling baseball required an enormous amount of time away from home. Of 162 games, 81 are on the road, and Richardson and his wife had a growing family. Their fifth child was born after Richardson retired and returned home to Sumter, SC. “It’s probably the best decision I’ve ever made,” added Richardson.

Influencing the Next Generation

Bobby Richardson leveraged his platform to spread the Gospel through the love of baseball. After the major leagues, he coached baseball for three universities, including the University of South Carolina and Coastal Carolina. He also became a well-known Christian speaker. 

“Your name may not appear down here in this world’s Hall of Fame. In fact, you may be so unknown that no one knows your name, the honors, the stories, the glory that came your way in the neon lights of blue,” Richardson said. “I’d rather be an unknown here and have my name up there.”

“[I’ve had] opportunities on the field and the opportunities off the field because of baseball,” remembered Richardson fondly. “How lucky it has been for me to be a Yankee. To God be the glory.”