him that would never burn out.
pect," Souza described. "There was
definitely a little anxiety. But as soon
as I walked into church, it was com-
fort. Everyone there was welcoming
me. As the message was preached,
it was just a release. I could feel the
Lord moving ... It was like, `Lord, I'm
coming after You.' What a blessing
that it was that He answered."
ing Bible, those that knew Souza
attested that his attitude changed
for the better.
Souza's wife, Mikaela, who's known
him for eight years. "He realized it
wasn't all about him being out
there and being famous or what-
ever. He realized it wasn't about
him. He got the bigger picture."
Souza's change in personality.
"He's a different man. He's a born-
again Christian, and that changed
his life. His attitude, the way he
spoke to people, the way he treated
people, it all changed."
game of baseball less seriously and
to enjoy his time playing the game.
fering because suffering produces
perseverance, perseverance charac-
ter and character joy," Souza said.
"I wouldn't be the man I am today
without going through these trials.
Obviously I wish I could take back
the damage I did to people around
me. But God took me through that
and made me the man I am today."
sons where he noticeably improved.
In 2014, Souza played most of the
season for the Syracuse Chiefs in
Triple-A, where he hit 18 home
runs and recorded an impressive
.350 batting average on his way to
winning the league's MVP award.
Souza made his major league debut
when he was called up to the Na-
tionals last April. He played in 21
major league games in 2014 and hit
two home runs. Souza was traded
to the Tampa Bay Rays to start the
2015 MLB season.
e nge
his fi rst home run of the Spring,