Perseverance Rewarded
Seldom do I watch a Cincinnati Reds baseball game with tears rolling down my cheeks. (I might think about it during a particularly punishing loss, but I have not yet resorted to tears over that.) However, two times this season – May 6, 2026, and again on May 15, 2026, I have cried my way through innings. May 6 was the date that Tejay Antone returned to the major leagues to pitch the 8th inning at Wrigley Field, retiring the side. May 15 was when Antone recorded his first major league save of the season.
The thing that provokes emotion about Antone is that he is coming back from his third Tommy John surgery – a complete rebuilding of the elbow named after Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Tommy John. Tejay Antone had his previous two surgeries in 2017 and 2021. The most recent, performed by Dr. Timothy Kremcheck, took place in 2024. Extensive physical therapy and a year of grueling rehab follow the operation. Only two other men in the history of major league baseball have come back from three Tommy John surgeries.
That chilly night in Chicago, Tejay Antone’s wife, Kelsi, and some of their friends were in the stands cheering like crazy. Kelsi has been with Tejay every step of the way during his rehabs. Reds Manager, Terry Francona, calls it “A pretty cool story.” It sure is. But it is much more. This is an incredible story of perseverance. After his first appearance, Tejay talked about walking to the mound “thanking God for the opportunity.” In the postgame interview, Antone told Jim Day that the whole experience has “Really strengthened my relationship with Christ.” He talked about “God putting him exactly where he needed to be.”
Tejay Antone often cites James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Antone says, “The third injury put me on the brink of wanting to retire, not really wanting to play anymore.” Clearly, he got past that. It had been 754 days since Tejay Antone had pitched off of a major league mound. What a great display of this biblical virtue of perseverance.
I also admire the fact that Antone has used this as a ministry opportunity. He has become a mentor to many, some high school athletes, some major league players, helping them through the Tommy John process. Many of these kids and professional athletes have his phone number and he is there for them.
Finally, Tejay Antone has a very simple wish. He would like to have his twins get to see him pitch. They were born during this most recent rehab. He says, “The only way to have my kids watch and be cognizant of what’s going on is for them to be older. That means I have to pitch longer.” I pray he gets to do exactly that – and influence many more people for Christ and continue to display this great biblical virtue of perseverance.