R.A. Dickey - MLB All-Star's Quest for Truth & Authenticity

Original Air Date: October 30, 2023R.A. Dickey is a 2012 NL Cy Young Award winner and MLB All-Star pitcher. In that season he set a NY Mets record for most consecutive scoreless innings at 32 2/3 innings. He pitched for several ML teams, most notably the Texas Rangers, New York Mets, and Toronto Blue Jays. He retired in 2017 as one of the most famous knuckleball pitchers of all time. But his journey to reach that level of stardom was filled with devastating twists and turns. R.A. experienced abuse as a child that he will talk about in this episode, and he will also detail how he ran to sports as a coping mechanism. In high school he met a guy who invited him to FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and he ultimately gave his life to Jesus. But it wasn't all flowers and sunshine after that. R.A. will share his inspirational story of being drafted in the 1st round by the Texas Rangers, only to fail the team physical because of a medical defect in his pitching elbow. He lost out on the initial $800,000 + signing bonus and settled for a $75,000 bonus because he believed he was "damaged goods". This mindset stuck with him and he struggled in the minor leagues with the Rangers for several years. Just when he thought his run in the MLB was coming to an end, Buck Showalter and Orel Hershiser sat him down and recommended he try throwing a new pitch that he had developed called "The Thing." The change would be disastrous at first, but would ultimately lead to the greatest heights as a pitcher!The struggle to persevere meant facing all of the inner-demons that had been locked away for many years. R.A. needed to believe in himself, but deep inside he felt guilt and shame over what he had experienced as a child...Listen to the episode to hear how R.A. fought and won the battle. He has a book available on Amazon called: Where I May Wind UpToday R.A. Dickey sits on the board of NAHT, the Nashville Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition. He has committed his life to help others who have been harmed by abuse and are trapped in life. Go to NAHT's website and see how you can help in this fight to set people free from trafficking. NAHT Coalition's Website: https://www.nahtcoalition.orgJosh Huisman is the Senior Pastor of New Hope Community Church in Brentwood, Tennessee. He is a pastor, artist, singer/songwriter, blogger, and now, a PODCASTER! Visit New Hope's Website: www.newhopechurchtn.orgVisit Josh Huisman's Website: www.joshhuisman.comLike/Follow/Whatever it Takes/Do it HereFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshHuismanPodcastTwitter (X): https://twitter.com/johuispodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshhuismanpodcast/Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJoshHuismanPodcastListen On:Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/josh-huismanApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-josh-huisman-podcast/id1688067162Amazon: https://www.amazon.in/The-Josh-Huisman-Podcast/dp/B0C5B4NJMWiHeart Podcasts: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-josh-huisman-podcast-115186628/***********************************© 2023 Josh Huisman. All rights reserved.#JoshHuismanPodcast #johuismusic #newhopin #NAHT #pastorjohuis