A QUIET WAY

Scott Linebrink of the Chicago White Sox

by Mark Darnall and Bruce Darnal

Scott Linebrink, right handed relief pitcher of the Chicago White Sox, was a small, skinny kid who loved baseball. He was a pretty slick infielder. Scott’s dad, Mike, was his early coach from T-ball, Little League, and American Legion, but there was not much pitching. Scott’s high school baseball career at McNeil High School in Round Rock, Texas, was nothing out of the ordinary except for his desire and love for the game. He went off to college in the fall of 1994 at Concordia University, Austin, TX, where he “walked on” the baseball team. His first year he mainly played infield with very little pitching. It was those two years at Concordia when Scott started to grow taller and stronger. In Scott’ second year, head coach James Keller began to work with Scott on his pitching. “Coach Keller,” as Scott shares, “was a wonderful person with a tremendous amount of courage as he was fighting ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).” Scott goes on saying, “Coach put extra time working with me and encouraged me to pursue my dream.” The summer after his sophomore year, Scott played in a summer league with D-1 players, and he held his own. Scott’s father added, “Even though Coach Keller could have used Scott at Concordia, Coach helped Scott transfer to Southwest Texas University (now Texas State at San Marcos) to play Division I baseball.”

At Southwest Texas, Scott got some outstanding instruction from head coach Howard Bushong, now coaching in the Detroit Tiger organization. They had an outstanding year (1996-1997) and went to the playoffs for the first time ever. They ended up one game away from the college world series. The San Francisco Giants saw Scott defeat Texas Tech and were so impressed by Scott that they drafted him in the second round and sent him off to his rookie league assignment.

Scott grew up in a Christian home, made up of his parents, Mike and Pixie, and younger sisters, Lindsey and Kelly. He went to Our Savior Lutheran Church (LCMS), Austin, TX, where he was baptized and confirmed. In addition he attended Lutheran School up to 6^th grade. He attended public school for middle school and high school. One of his favorite Bible verses is his confirmation verse from Revelation 2:10 which says: “Do not fear…Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Scott’s faith has always been important to him, and his regular attendance at worship and Bible class only increased his desire to walk with the Lord. “When Scott left for Rookie ball in the Northwest,” shares Pixie, “it was a sentimental moment for all of us. We knew he had a strong faith and God will take care of Scott.”

Scott has always been close to home whether at Concordia or at Southwest Texas. It was when he left for his minor league assignments that he was truly on his own. “I always had the love and support from my family and extended family which helped me stay grounded.” But it was during these first three years that “I wanted to blend in with my teammates and be a good guy. I always went to church and attended chapel, but I was not as active as I should have been. I kind of got away from my walk. My life was not indicative of a believer.”

In the spring of 2000, Scott was brought up to the Giants Major League club, and he made his Major League debut April 15^th. After appearing in three games with the Giants, they traded him to the Houston Astros. For two years he went up and down from the minor leagues to the majors, having recorded no wins or losses.

There were two events that really were significant in Scott’s spiritual life during this time. The first was when Scott arrived in Houston, and he went to a Bible study. The second was being around one of his sister Lindsey’s volleyball friends, Kelly Anderson. “I was traded to Houston,” says Scott, “and when I attended a Bible study, I remember Lance Berkman putting forth a challenge. He said ‘If you were accused of being a Christian in a court of law, would there be enough evidence to convict you?’” That really hit Scott. Scott was reminded of the Scripture “Be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) He goes on to say, “For the most part I was living the way I wanted. I would attend church, go to chapel and an occasional Bible study, but it was not a part of my daily walk. It was a time when I was being brought to the majors and then being sent down to the minors. I would be called up and do well then still was sent down. I was wondering what did I have to do? I was losing heart and did not know where to turn.”

It was at this point Scott confessed, “I am tired of trying to make this work and carrying the responsibility of my career on my shoulders, and feeling everything I do is life or death. I want my career to be a reflection of my Christian walk and everything I do is to give glory to God. I know there is a plan in place for me. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds me of that and I need to trust that plan.”

Scott decided, whether he is in triple A, or in the Major Leagues he was going to have faith in God’s plan. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This was a pivotal point in his life, feeling he had turned his life over to the Lord and allowed Him to have control.

Scott shared a story he heard. “When Solomon’s temple was being built, the rocks being used were massive rocks. They were being mined and shaped in the quarry because, the Temple being a Holy place, there could be no hammering or chiseling done on the Temple site. The rocks were shaped to fit perfectly. We correlate this to us being shaped and chiseled in the trials and suffering of life; and when we get to Heaven, we will fit perfectly. We are being shaped to be the kind of person God wants us to be.”

It was about his time that Kelly Anderson, daughter of Roger and Debbie Anderson of Walburg, Texas, and friend of Scott’s sister, Lindsey, became acquainted with the Linebrink family. But it wasn’t until 2001 that Scott became really interested in Kelly. Like Scott, Kelly came from a Christian home and she was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Walburg where she attended their elementary school. After graduating from Georgetown (TX) High School, she went off to Texas A & M to go into teaching. Kelly graduated from Texas A & M in 2001, and that was when Scott and Kelly began to date. They both come from large families and large extended families which was one thing, besides Kelly’s faith, that attracted Scott to her.

Between Scott’s spiritual growth and his budding romance with Kelly, life was becoming brighter. Scott and Kelly were married in 2003 at Zion Lutheran. Kelly was the fourth generation in her family to be married at Zion. Together they rededicated their lives to the Lord. They have since been blessed with two girls, Ellie Jane (3 yrs) and Abigail (7 mo). “The girls are such a joy in our lives,” shares Kelly. “It is such a comfort and joy,” states Scott, “to be able to go home after a game and be with Kelly and the girls.”

It was in 2003 when Scott was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres. Between Houston and San Diego, Scott pitched in 52 games and won 3, including a win over the Chicago Cubs (7-5), as a starter. He had some really good years with the Padres (2003-2007); then he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers (2007) where he was reunited with Christian pitching buddy from the Astros organization, Brian Shouse. “Actually, Trish, Shousie’s wife, and Kelly gave birth to little girls, our Ellie Jane and their Daisy, about the same time when we were in Milwaukee.” Gabe Gross, another Christian brother, was in Milwaukee too. In 2008 Scott signed a four year contract with the Chicago White Sox.

In Chicago, Scott is highly regarded. Media Director Ray Garcia says, “Scott is just a nice person and is wonderful to work with. His life reflects what he believes in.” One who knows Scott the best is bullpen coach, Juan Nieves, who owns a no-hitter from his playing days with the Brewers. Nieves shares, “Scott is an exceptional person, great on his faith; he lives by it, a great example of it.” Nieves goes on, “We have embraced Scott as the supportive, calm zone on the team who guys will go to when things are not going well even though he has gone through battles himself. He stays strong and always abides by the Word of God.” White Sox chaplain, Mickey Weston, director of Unlimited Potential, Inc (UPI), shares, “Scott is one of the most quality Christian men in baseball. He is what we call a “Gatekeeper” who opens doors for opportunities to bring Christ to players.” Weston concludes,” God is using Scott in a mighty way to further the Kingdom of Christ and bring glory to the Father.”

It is typical of Scott, always willing to give of himself. His parents say that Scott could be a very good speaker, but Scott shies away from public speaking, preferring to stay in the background and give behind the scenes. “Scott is very supportive of his church, Zion Lutheran,” his father shares. “He helped in the Ablaze program for the LCMS mission project by being a speaker for their video presentation, and he lent support for an audio Bible mission program.” Scott also teams with Dave Deal, area Athletes In Action director, to bring chapel services and Bible studies to the Sox at spring training in Arizona.

Scott likes working with kids. “I enjoy the kids. I participate in clinics and camps for kids, especially with UPI, where I can share Christ through baseball.”

Another program that is important to Scott is Pro Athletes Outreach (PAO). “We are very active in PAO,” says Kelly. “We are on the Board of Directors for PAO which has the ‘vision to recruit and equip an army of coaches, professional athletes and their families to make a positive impact in the world for Jesus Christ.’ We have Christ-centered programs and conferences that reach out to athletes, coaches and their families.” Kelly concludes by saying, “The conferences help build and strengthens their personal relationships, marriages, parenting, finances, and faith.”

“The beauty of Scott is,” exclaims his father, “he was never a star in high school or college; but through hard work and using his God-given talent, he has made it to the highest level and all with humility.” His mother sums it up this way, “Scott’s spiritual gift is humility and he leads in a quiet way through his actions.”

Scott likes Paul’s Book to the Philippians, especially Chapter 4 verse 16: “Be anxious about nothing, instead pray about everything…” As Scott puts it, “We, Kelly and I, try to place our trust in the Lord and go about living our lives for Christ.”

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