Brian Roberts, Second Basemen for the Baltimore Orioles, just signed an extension to his contract worth forty million dollars. On top of the world now, it didn’t come without a fight and a few bumps in the road, including his own steroid scandal.

Orioles' second baseman, Brian Roberts

“Don’t let anyone tell you (that) you can’t do something,” advised Roberts. 

He was much too small and not very strong to play sports in high school. People doubted whether Roberts could be or would be good enough to play baseball beyond his high school career. After all, he was only 5’8” and weighed 150 pounds. His father, Mike Roberts, coached baseball at the University of North Carolina (UNC) while his teenage son watched on the sidelines. Baseball ran through the bloodline. “My dad had taught me how to play the game, but the results weren’t always there because of those issues with my size and confidence,” Roberts said.

Brian Roberts giving back, spending time with fans

With two All-Star games as a professional athlete under his belt, Roberts explained his journey to fame, and the victories and defeat along the way.

Those bloodline connections got Roberts into the baseball program at UNC. It was his first time away from home, and he quickly got into the party life on campus with his baseball buddies. “I wanted to fit in and be one of the guys,” he explained. Grades slipped as he partied on. This lifestyle contrasted his Christian upbringing, and halfway through his freshman year, he knew this was not the path he wanted to tread. “The whole aspect of my life wasn’t good. I had gone through the rebellious stage and realized that I wasn’t who I was or who I wanted to be. There was a better way to be one of the guys, but to live my life the way I knew I could. All that turned me back to the Lord.”

Roberts set a career record of 181 hits, 51 doubles and eight triples in 2008

His dad allowed him to play college ball, but Roberts had to prove he was qualified to play with this team. It was at that crucial point that Roberts made the choice to simply “work extra hard.” He spent extra time in the weight room, and doing whatever he deemed necessary to get better. That hard work paid off in a big way. In his freshman year, he batted .427 with eight home runs, and delivered 44 RBI’s (runs batted in). Roberts hit 102 and stole bases 47 times, breaking the school record in both categories. He was awarded the nation’s College Freshman of the Year. This record-breaking athlete knew these accomplishments were beyond his own abilities. “It’s only the Lord; it’s not me, because I had never done anything like that before on a baseball field or performed on that level.” Roberts noted that these athletic breakthroughs came after rededicating his life to the Lord.

Roberts, spending time with the fans

At age 31, Roberts is a millionaire and on top of his game, yet has stayed unpretentious and humble in the midst of success. A newlywed, he and wife Diana give back to the community. Roberts loves hanging out with kids and reaches out in a special way. It began when he had open heart surgery at the age of five, and was exposed to the heartbreak of other sick children. He has no heart complications now, but that experience has prompted his own involvement with kids in different ways. As a young teen, he helped out at his father’s baseball camps in the summer. Now as a professional baseball player, he uses his influence to help other families in crisis.

Fundraising for the University of Maryland Hospital for Children (UMHC) is one way he has helped little ones stricken with illness, including his annual event called “Brian’s Baseball Bash.” Roberts visits the hospital about once a month and is involved with the children and their families on a very personal basis. “I’ve always loved kids, and I’m drawn to kids,” Roberts said. “I think they are our future, and it’s a way to have an impact in their lives.”  His official website (www.brianroberts.com) is dedicated to Zach and Kamry; just two of the kids he became close to before their tragic early deaths.

Knowing the importance of being a rolemodel, Roberts encourages other to never give up

Being a role model is something Roberts takes seriously. He understands that “kids look to us and want to do everything like us.” “Some think professional athletes have it made, and never have any problems,” he noted. Although known as a man of good repute, Roberts made a bad decision back in 2003 to use steroids. Just once. A huge scandal erupted at the time; something that could have ruined his promising career. Drafted out of college into the minors, Roberts made the major leagues in 2001. A Baltimore Oriole the whole time, he had seen others use steroids. It was something he “never considered doing.” In talking about that controversial time, he makes no excuses, and simply said “I made a bad choice.” He didn’t know the ramifications at the time, but quickly found the support of the fans and the Oriole organization. “In general,” he said, “people have been very forgiving.” “I have a greater understanding of honesty and owning up to things you’ve done wrong and trusting the Lord for the outcome,” he said. “I am a Christian, but I’m not perfect.”

Roberts' career keeps improving each year

Fame and wealth can lend itself to trouble, and Roberts has seen his share. Temptations abound, but this sportsman has made the choice not to give in. “The biggest thing has been surrounding myself with other godly people, and just try to stay in the Word and prayer,” explained Roberts. “You do want to be part of the team and be one of the guys, but you do have to walk away from opportunities where you shouldn’t be.” Roberts has seen the consequences that come from bad decisions, and knows where not to follow.

“Being the same man at the beginning of the season as at the end of the season can sometimes be challenging,” Roberts noted. It’s easy to be optimistic and upbeat “when everyone has a chance,” he said. Yet, when August rolls around, and his team isn’t in the playoffs, that’s when his integrity is tested. Roberts has learned to be encouraging to his teammates. “One of the things God has taught me, and we’re all a work in progress, but just to put others before yourself.”

His size didn’t stop him. The steroid controversy didn’t keep him from his baseball dreams. In 2005, Roberts dislocated his elbow and tore everything in it while playing at Yankee Stadium. “As I was walking off the field, I thought it was the last game I would ever play,” he remembered. “There are no guarantees in this game.” Yet, even that serious injury did not deter him from excelling in professional baseball. Last year Roberts finished in the top 25 in the American League in fifteen categories, including runs (third with 107) and stolen bases (fourth with 40). Only getting better with time, he set a career record of 181 hits, 51 doubles and eight triples. Even with such success, Roberts does not take his career for granted. “I know how God can change your life in a heartbeat,” he added. “I take it one day at a time and trust the Lord that His plan is perfect, and we’ll go from there.”

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path,” Proverbs 3:5-6, his life verse, Roberts exclaimed “for me, that’s what it’s all about.”