Reds Rookie Sal Stewart Proclaims 'Jesus Is King' into NBC Camera after Home Run
Baseball fans who tuned in to NBC’s Sunday night Major League Baseball broadcast saw more than a showdown between two rivals – they also heard one of the game’s top rookies declare his faith in Christ in the middle of the action.
The Cincinnati Reds edged the Chicago Cubs 7-5 on the strength of four home runs, including a seventh-inning shot to center field by rookie Sal Stewart that silenced the home crowd and gave him a unique opportunity to share his faith.
As he rounded third and headed for home, Stewart pointed heavenward before looking directly into an NBC camera positioned just feet from the field and delivered a simple message.
“Jesus is King!” he shouted to the camera before touching home plate.
Stewart has been one of the bright spots on a Reds team that is in last place in its division. He leads the league in RBIs (105) and ranks ninth in home runs (31) – and is making a strong case for National League Rookie of the Year.
It’s been a quick rise to the big leagues.
He was selected by Cincinnati in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Westminster Christian High School in Miami, the same school that produced baseball great Alex Rodriguez. Stewart made his Major League debut in September 2025 but kept his rookie status for 2026 by logging only 55 at-bats in 18 games – well below MLB’s threshold (130 at-bats) for losing rookie eligibility.
Sunday’s game, though, was far from the first time Stewart has been outspoken about his faith.
After finishing with six RBIs in the visiting Reds’ win over New York this summer, Stewart told a television reporter, “How grateful am I? Jesus blessed me, I'm 22, man, playing at Yankee Stadium. My family is in the stands, man, Jesus is the greatest.”
Stewart, in fact, often references his faith in postgame interviews, Sports Spectrum reported.
“Jesus Christ, He’s my Lord and Savior,” Stewart told MLB Network after a multi-home run game in April. “He’s changed my life so much. When I was younger, I always said [that] trying to get to the big leagues was always my dream. But my dream now is just to glorify His name. Without Him, I’m nothing and I can’t do this. He gives me all the strength to do this.”
Photo Credit: ©NBC/ScreenCapture
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published September 01, 2026.
