The Anaheim Angels were a group of happy ballplayers following last year's World Series, defeating the San Francisco Giants in seven games to win their first Series ever.
Did you notice that one player seemed particularly happy? It was Tim Salmon. Knowing his background helps to understand why.
The 34-year-old right fielder was small and skinny as a teenager. He didn't develop until high school when, in his senior year, he was Player of the Year and earned All-State honours. Today he stands at six-foot-three and weighs 225 pounds.
At Grand Canyon College, Salmon received All-American honourable mention his final two seasons. His performance attracted scouts from the Angels. He inked a deal and was assigned to their AAA farm team in Edmonton.
More than Salmon's physique changed in college. Although he had heard about Jesus Christ in high school, he never gave Christianity serious consideration. But in college, Salmon met A.C. Martin, a Christian teammate who became his mentor.
"He took me under his wing, answered most of my questions, and helped me understand what it all meant," Salmon shared in Breakaway magazine. "I came to the point where I realized there was something more than just believing there is a God. It's really wanting to change your life and live for Him. Before the season was over, I accepted Jesus as my Saviour." Salmon has remained true to that commitment ever since.
With the Trappers, Salmon played one outstanding season, finishing with 29 homers and 105 RBIs. As a result, he was named the '92 Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year.
Of Edmonton, Salmon comments, "I loved it. My wife and I were young and we had the best experience there. When you think of the minor leagues, you think of little towns, but Edmonton wasn't. We even got to experience their cold summers," he laughs.
Dennis Henke, assistant general manager of the Trappers, remembers Salmon well. "He certainly was a very good ballplayer, but as an individual - I've been here for 21 years - he was very near the top."
Henke recalls when Salmon was called up to the Angels. "We were playing in Calgary and I knew he wouldn't be back. But he took the time to phone me to thank me. That's probably the only time that ever happened," says Henke. "That tells you what kind of individual he was."
Salmon produced impressive stats for a decade with the Angels. But he appeared in more games than any active player - 1,388 - without participating in the playoffs. So he made the most of it when he got there, hitting four home runs - two in Game 2 of the World Series.
Following the season, Salmon was both the Sporting News' and Player's Choice for the American League Comeback Player of the Year.
Why "comeback"? Because the year before was what Salmon called his "worst year ever." He had foot and shoulder surgery after the 2000 season, and wasn't ready when 2001 opened.
"I lost 20 pounds and I wasn't strong," he explains. "I went into the season unprepared, and it showed. Timing is such a huge part of success, and I didn't have it." His numbers dipped to 17 homers, 49 RBIs, and a .227 batting average, all career lows. "I was under serious stress, and I almost considered retiring," he says.
Instead, Salmon prayed. "I was in constant prayer, asking God for peace of mind and praying for rest. It was a terrible season, but I was persistent ¾ and I got through it. Then a year later, we won the World Series and I was on top of the world."
A sub-par performance in 2001 and waiting years to make the playoffs are just two struggles Salmon has undergone, and through them all, he learned to persist.
Equally important to him as his statistics is how he performs in his personal life. "It's a testament of my life, what people are saying about me," says Salmon. He's one of the Angels' chapel and Bible-study leaders, and credits God for the "the character I've developed, what kind of role model I am - if I'm a good father, a good husband."
He adds, "Baseball is not the most important thing in my life. Is it in the top five? Probably not," he continues. "I have four beautiful children and a wonderful wife, and I've been able to play the game I love," he says. "It all comes down to perspective. In this world, the humanistic idea is to get to the top, but for me - it's enough to just play baseball with passion and for the enjoyment."
Salmon's enthusiasm for baseball continues this season, even though the Angels have struggled thus far. "Last year, with the fun I had, it was like being a kid again," he says. "I played like that and it's carried over to this season ... I'm in my 12th season, and there may not be too many left." Salmon has two years left on his contract.
"I've had a lot of trials," he says. "I've dealt with a lot of injuries. My wife went through thyroid cancer. People think Christians have an easy life," he says, "but the opposite is true. God wants to shape us into something and the trials develop our character. I believe the key is perseverance - that's taught me a lot."
Perseverance helped him win a World Series, but - if he had never won? "I don't think it would have affected me," says Salmon. "In my faith, I have to say, 'Whatever happens, this is God's plan for my life.' How can I be discouraged when I've gotten as far as I have?"
