Mike Blaylock is all for Christian athletes being the best they can be in their chosen sport. But he is more concerned about their “score” in life.
The Missouri native has combined two of his passions — athletics and Christianity — into a guidebook for the young Christian athlete. “The Right Way to Win” is based partly on experiences and insights he gained by working with and ministering to professional, as well as amateur, athletes of all ages.
Blaylock, who now serve as vice president for institutional advancement at the University of Mobile (UM), once rubbed elbows with professional athletes through his affiliation with the Kansas City Royals as their chaplain for six years.
His tenure with the Royals began during the 1970s, while he was a student at William Jewell College, a small, Baptist affiliated school located in Liberty, Mo. Ironically, it was not sports that led Blaylock, an ordained Baptist minister, into the world of professional athletics but his passion for music.
Opportunity knocks
Blaylock received a telephone call in 1975 from Ray Hildebrand, better known as “Paul” of the 1960s duo Paul and Paula. Hildebrand was involved in ministry work, including the relatively young organization of the Fellowship of Christian Athletics (FCA).
Hildebrand needed someone for a singing engagement and called Blaylock after a friend told him the college student sang and played guitar. Blaylock accepted the offer and eventually performed with Hildebrand at more than 250 performances across the country for FCA.
Unbeknownst to the young Christian entertainer, he would soon become a major player in pioneering chaplain programs for major sports teams. After pinch hitting for Hildebrand during a Sunday worship service for the Kansas City Royals, Blaylock met Detroit sports writer “Waddy” Spoelestra, who was organizing chapel programs throughout the National Baseball Association.
“He had a heartfelt desire to establish Sunday chapel services for every national baseball team in the league,” Blaylock said. “I met him the weekend after I held chapel with the Royals. He asked me if I would be in charge of the Royals, since I lived in Kansas City.”
Stepping Out
Although still in college, Blaylock willingly accepted the volunteer position and conducted weekly services for players and their families on Sunday mornings at the ballpark. He not only ministers to the Royals but also visiting teams as well, conducting chapel services “usually in the locker room,” he said with a laugh.
“Over a period of time I developed some very good relationships with members of the Royals and the other teams,” he said.
Blaylock recalls a highlight of his chaplain days: “In 1978, Billy Graham was in town. I called his office and asked if he could speak to the Royals and White Sox. Not only did he come speak, but Bev Shea and Cliff Barrows came with him. Several of the players became Christians as a result of their visit.”
During Blaylock’s tenure as chaplain he led chapel services and Bible studies for every American League team, several championship play-offs and World Series chapel services.
Blaylock continued his career as a baseball coach and Bible teacher at a Christian school in Tulsa and later served as minister of education for churches in Texas and Oklahoma. Currently, he is responsible for external operations of UM in the areas of public relations, marketing and alumni teams on campus. He also is a popular speaker at churches and civic organizations.
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