Dave Dravecky was first thrust into the public spotlight in the late 1980’s when his career took off as a major league baseball pitcher, a “southpaw” for the San Francisco Giants.

A graduate of Boardman High school and Youngstown State University, Dravecky made his Major League debut pitching for the San Francisco Padres ending their 1984 season with a 9-8 record. His career with the Giants was marked by his strong Christian faith, foregoing the hard-partying lifestyle of some of his teammates.

Less than a decade after realizing his lifelong dream, Dave was diagnosed with a soft tissue cancer in the deltoid muscle of his pitching arm. The following years were a whirlwind of surgery, radiation, pain and depression, all in the glaring light of the media. Eventually, Dave’s arm was amputated to stop the spread of the cancer and save his life.

Through it all, Dave and his wife, Jan’s faith in God provided the anchor they needed in the midst of their storm. In 1991, Dave & Jan founded Endurance – a ministry offering comfort, encouragement and hope to those who are going through difficult journeys.

The author of Comeback, Worth of a Man, and Called Up: Stories of Life & Faith, Dave reaches all age groups with messages that range from motivational to inspirational to evangelical. Dravecky genuinely relates through his own experiences with loss and suffering, and he powerfully inspires through the encouragement he gathered from the faith and hope he discovered along his journey.