Sal Stewart declares faith on NBC after home run

Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart made a public declaration of faith during a Sunday night Major League Baseball broadcast on NBC. After hitting his 31st home run of the season in a 7-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs, Stewart pointed toward heaven and shouted, “Jesus is King!” to a nearby camera.

Stewart has emerged as a standout performer, leading the league in RBIs with 105 and ranking ninth in home runs. He is one of only 14 rookies in MLB history to record at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in a single season.

Former Reds player Joey Votto, providing commentary for the NBC broadcast, praised Stewart’s team-oriented attitude and later endorsed his candidacy for National League Rookie of the Year on social media. Stewart was a first-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and has maintained his rookie eligibility through limited appearances in 2025.