To 'Make Heaven Crowded' Is Life Goal of Dodgers RP Blake Treinen
Michael Foust
Audio By Carbonatix
By Michael Foust, Crosswalk.com
One of the top relievers on the World Series-contending Los Angeles Dodgers says his primary goal in life isn’t to rack up saves but, he says, something far more eternal.
Right-hander Blake Treinen has received significant action in the postseason, helping the Dodgers take a commanding 3-0 lead against Milwaukee in the National League Championship Series (NLCS) and placing them one win away from the World Series heading into Friday night’s game. Treinen recorded a save in Game 1 after a shaky start on the mound and after a rough September that saw him go 1-5. In Game 3, he pitched two-thirds of an inning and struck out one without allowing a baserunner.
Treinen is in his seventh season with the Dodgers and was instrumental in their 2024 World Series run, posting a 2-0 record with three saves and a 2.19 ERA and 18 strikeouts in the postseason.
But he told CBN Sports this week his life’s goal is more eternal.
“I think my family's name is great in the eyes of God, but in the eyes of the world, nobody really knew the Treinens, and I don't really care if they do -- but I want them to see Christ's greatness and what He's accomplished in my career.”
Treinen wants everyone around him to experience salvation in Christ, he said.
RELATED: Dodgers Pitcher Credits Jesus after World Series Win, from 2024
“I don't want to see any of my teammates or anybody in the stands or anybody in this world face the alternative -- how do we make heaven crowded? And that's really my goal,” he said. “Every single one of us have been given a gift, and our way of repaying it to the Lord is: How do we honor Him with that gift? When I am welcomed into the gates of heaven, I want to hear… ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”
Treinen is one of the more outspoken Christians in the league, a fact reflected in his walk-out songs, which typically have been Christian artists. This year’s walk-out song was Fire Emoji by the Christian rapper 808 Beezy.
Walk-out songs, he said, “are kind of a peering through the veil of our personality and what's important to us.”
“There's a lot of music out there that's got great beats, but maybe not a great message,” Treinen told DodgersBeat.com. “Everybody in today's world wants to know who we are, what we're about. And for me, God's given me this incredible platform, this incredible gift of being able to play baseball, especially for as long as I have, and my job is to pay it back.
“And if it's a song that pumps me up for a game and gives a great message of salvation and the power of God and what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross, I'm going to find it.”
Image credit: @Getty Images / Harry How / Staff
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.
