A Grand Slam for God: A Journey from Baseball Star to Catholic Priest

by Burke Masters

Burke Masters had the perfect game plan for his he was going to become a Major League Baseball player. As a star infielder for Mississippi State with a game-winning grand slam to help his team reach the College World Series, he was well on his way to the career of his dreams. But little did he know that his life-changing call would not be from a recruiter to join the Major Leagues―it would be from God to become a priest.
In this page-turning memoir, Fr. Burke takes readers on an intimate personal journey―from his childhood outside of Chicago, to his success in baseball, to his conversion to Catholicism, and finally, to his acceptance of his vocation. Amid severe doubt and personal loss, he learned to embrace his fundamental identity―not as an athlete, but as a beloved son of God and a spiritual father to God’s people. Fr. Burke’s story is a powerful reminder that God’s plan for us is so much greater than our own; that it fulfills our dreams in ways greater than we could have imagined; and that if we only have the courage to say yes, every moment is an opportunity for a grand slam for God.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Religion, Catholic, Sports, Memoir, Baseball

192 pages, Hardcover

Published August 14, 2023

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Grand Slam for God

WOW! This is an outstanding testimony to our Lord. Fr. Burke brings God to live in your life right where you stand. Fr. Burke's journey makes it easy for us to see that we can live a life doing God's will and still be very human.
This is an excellent book for anyone to read and should be recommended reading for young people trying to discern life with our Lord.

[Gina Baldyga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baseball + Catholic calling = couldn’t stop smiling while I was reading. I can’t wait for my husband and son to read this, if I can convince them. It’s a beautiful story of Fr Masters’ calling and journey, with a unique baseball backdrop. Inspiring and full of teaching.

[Thomas Begley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and Inspiring

A Grand Slam for God is so much more than its title. Father Masters has written a book that is centered on faith but is inspiring to anyone regardless of their background. It affirms that we all have a profound purpose in this world. Enjoyable and uplifting. A must read.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal book. I listened to A Grand Slam for God as an audiobook through the Hallow app. It’s truly a transformative and captivating listen. Burke’s narration of his own story highlights his valuable journey of discerning his future as a young person since he thought he was initially called in multiple directions. I truly enjoyed this story, although it’s not something I would usually read- and I highly recommend it!

[Tate Mascari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Burke is a baller

[Maria Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr Burke is the best!!! Such an inspiring read

[Mitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very quick read of a remarkable and inspiring story of an exceptional college baseball player that was called to be a Catholic Priest. Father Burke Masters has a great story of faith and love of God that is a great read for all. Thank you Father Masters for sharing your story of conversion and love.

[Raoul Bascon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Burke is a contemporary Augustine. Easily weaving in beautiful teaching on the Catholic belief in the context of his ever-deepening conversion. Many scenes from this story had me emotional over the love of God and good, healthy relationships. This book is read as an audiobook on hallow and is such a gift.

[Blaine Holbrooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, simple and amazing story of how The Father knows best. Fr Burke Masters writes his story very simple for everyone to understand but presents a profound and realistic message of God’s presence at each stage of our lives. Highly suggest for an easy read

[Doug Schreiber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great inspiratoin - and - Who doesn't love a baseball story!

[Sue Holzner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a convert to Catholicism, grew up one mile from Wrigley Field (Addison and Walcott), knew archbishop J. Peter Sartain, when he was vocations direction for the Diocese of Memphis. I reside in Northwest Tennessee. I loved so many things about this book and strive daily to do the will of our Lord. Thank you, Fr. Burke Masters

[Lynn Bixler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love nonfiction and this did not disappoint. Every teenager who thinks they will play in the major leagues should read this book for perspective. Great job, Fr. Burke!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun easy read about the Lord working in Fr Masters' life. Pretty awesome.

[Maggie Gorski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible and relatable story about a man’s struggle between hearing to God’s calling for his life while stubbornly wanting to stick to the “best laid plans” that he has developed in his own mind throughout his life. I don’t imagine there is another book out there that makes the calling to priesthood and the mental hurdles involved quite as accessible and relatable as Father Masters does in this book. His story is not only relatable, but incredibly inspiring. He shows that when you surrender to God’s calling for your life and fully commit, God will bring infinitely more wonderful things into your life than you ever could have imagined or worked up on your own. The story of the “Baseball Priest” is an awesome example of God’s ability to blend His calling for us with the things we love and enjoy if we just trust in Him and follow His call.

The intimate details that Father Masters shares about his life in this book have made me more understanding and appreciative of clergy members than ever before. This book will not only make you want to get to know your priest better, but it will spark an appreciation for the vocation of priesthood that will have you encouraging anyone around you who may be discerning their call to trust in God and follow His path. I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone, but especially to those discerning God’s call to the priesthood for themselves or those who know someone discerning the call.

[Ben Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 🌟

Very very pleasantly surprised by this book!!

I picked it up as an audio book since it’s one of dozen books that come with the Hallow app and had very low expectations between it being a free book, my disinterest in baseball and the title I thought it’d be some cheesy read with a lot of awful baseball metaphors.

It was not that at all! It’s short easy listen that I finished in a day that serves as an autobiography and testimonial of Fr. masters life from a budding career in MLB to becoming a Catholic priest. I don’t wan to spoil anything but I think this book would appeal to anyone not just Christian/Catholic readers and it’s very well written and emotionally gripping. That said, it’d be especially good for anyone who’s discerning a vocation to religious life.

Walked away struck by how an “ordinary life” of a relatively normal guy can still be a fascinating story.

Going to dive in to the rest of the limited Hallow library to see if there are any other gems!

[Patrick Santino · Rating 4 out of 5]

He has a great & rich life story going from star college athlete (in a sport Americans care about) to Catholic priest. I found a couple of his insights extremely valuable, & something to take with me. It is very plainly written, so it should be accessible to everyone, but sometimes that is not quite dynamic enough for me, & then there were parts to the story I think he was slightly smoothing over that might not have been flattering to others or perhaps himself. It’s also refreshing to see the story of a guy like him who to some extent could have decided much of the direction of his life, but instead he followed God’s Call to be a priest, & has become one of the most successful priests in his diocese.

[Ed Pienta · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read. This book is truly Burke Masters turned Father Burke Masters. It is an easy read, very interesting and most of all inspirational. The book takes you from his early childhood then being sent to a Catholic HS where the transformation takes place as God reaches out to him. He was an exceptional ball player with the talent to play in the major leagues. His journey to become a priest had its hurdles and doubts but in the end he knew it was God’s plan. I highly recommend reading this book.

[Julie Heitland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burke Masters dreamed of playing baseball in the major leagues. He went to camps and played in summer leagues until his parents offered him the opportunity to attend and play for a catholic high school. It is here the Burke fell in love with God and what the Catholic church had to offer. He converted to Catholicism and became a priest. This books looks at his journey and how he learned to trust in God's plan for his life.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very pleasant surprise! A friend gave it to me and my expectations were pretty low - the age old story of someone who gave up one kind of life for another one. But I love sports, and baseball especially, so the story of an accomplished baseball player's journey to the priesthood was very compelling. This book will affirm the faith of all readers, but I suspect it will be most meaningful to young men who may be trying to determine their own path in life.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally cried at the end, and not just b/c he recapped the Cubs 2016 World Series win from his perspective as the chaplain. 😂🤍❤️💙⚾️

Fr Burke, college baseball star, didn't make it in the major leagues, but what a gift to be able to see in hindsight that God always has a plan. Beautiful conversion story and memoir.

[Dom Yarnal jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life's twists

This book was well-written and an easy read. Helps you realize the many twists your life takes and the path you eventually end up on will more than likely take you full circle. Parts of the story could have been more in depth, but it might have taken away from the basis of the story.

[Kristi K Reger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I’m surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It was chosen by my book club. I’m not much of a sports enthusiast but it is written in such a way that you don’t have to know anything about baseball and can still learn and grow from reading the book. I loved the candor Father Burke displays with his thoughts and feelings in this book.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story following a convert who became a priest. He talks about his faith journey in a meaningful way, including his struggles in accepting God's love. He brings the reader through some of his low times in life, including his mother's death. This is a great read for looking to grow, or hear about finding a different path than expected.

[BILL & · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treat yourself to a Grand Slam

A laugh out loud and weep book! This is a great read for baseball fans, and fans of Almighty God, and his generous plans for our lives. It's also an excellent look into the life of the priesthood. If you have no idea what that looks like, read this book.

[Edward Bellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. He gives a good message of faith and how his goals grow up were used in spreading love, hope, and joy for Jesus. Thank you, Fr. Masters for being vulnerable in sharing with us your faith journey

[Monica Zebold-Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good memoir, and I liked it very much. It was very inspirational, and he was very honest with what happened and when and with who.
The writing was fairly remedial, which was good when I read it right before I went to sleep. It definitely was inspirational.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr. Burke’s personal story of his calling to priesthood was inspiring, authentic and honest. We need more humans like him in our world! Very interesting story of his path from what he thought his life would be like to what God had planned all along.

[Kathy Rieke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this true story to all middle school and high school Christian boys and their parents. So much to learn from another’s experience and it could positively impact one’s life forever!

[Esther C.Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read!

This is an outstanding read! I could hardly put it down! I recommend for all ages. Father Masters really explains how putting God first in one’s life can and only will bring one happiness. I recommend everyone read this treasure!

[Marge Veilleux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faith

When you completely trust God with your whole life, and you humble yourself and honor Him, your life becomes beautiful. This story is so inspiring.