It was the kind of moment no one ever wants to see on a baseball diamond. In the bottom of the sixth inning at Progressive Field, Cleveland Guardians designated hitter David Fry squared to bunt against Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal. The pitch came blazing in at 99.1 miles per hour, veering up and in. It deflected off Fry’s bat and struck him directly in the face.
He dropped immediately, clutching his nose as the crowd gasped in horror. Skubal himself looked stunned, and the Tigers’ ace never recovered his composure in what became a disastrous inning.
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Trainers rushed to Fry’s side, and after tense moments on the field, he lifted his hand to give a thumbs-up — a gesture that told the fans he was conscious, even in the middle of such pain. Fry was carted off and taken to Cleveland’s Lutheran Medical Center. Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell was among those who publicly wished him well.
Yes, the Guardians rallied back for a 5-2 victory, tying Detroit atop the AL Central and securing the season tiebreaker. Yes, the team is on the verge of what could become the biggest divisional comeback in MLB history. But right now, the story isn’t about standings or history. It’s about a man who has never been shy about where his strength comes from — and why we should pray for him now.
David Fry has consistently pointed to his faith in God when asked about his success on the field. After a dramatic home run, he simply said, “All glory to God” in a post game interview. In the same report, he explained how he prayed after struggling early in a game: “I had a really bad first at bat … and I just told God, I said, ‘Take it, man. Just take the at bat.’”
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Movieguide covered another moment when Fry admitted to handing it all over to the Lord: “I just told God, ‘Hey man, take this. It’s a tough matchup. Just try to have fun and you take the at bat.’”
He’s also spoken candidly about staying calm under pressure. “I try to give it to God, and I’m just trying to have the slowest heartbeat I can. It’s tough in those situations to try to stay within yourself,” Fry revealed. As reported by ChurchLeaders, he previously shared a more personal reflection: “I trust God and know He has good things planned for me. I know He’s got me and I’m His handiwork.”
That’s the David Fry we know. A ballplayer, yes, but also a believer who puts his hope in the Lord. And in a moment like this, when his season and perhaps his career hang in the balance, the right response is clear.
We need to pray. Pray for his healing, that the damage to his face is not as severe as it first appeared. Pray for wisdom for the doctors and staff treating him. Pray for peace and strength for his family as they wait by his side.
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The Guardians can keep chasing history on the field. But the people of Cleveland, and fans of the game across the country, have a more important task right now. David Fry has pointed us to God with his own words. Let’s honor that by lifting him up in prayer.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a background in journalism from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine.
