Jeff Tottem, the Detroit Tigers Chaplain, hands out religious baseball cards after a sermon at Grosse Pointe Woods First Presbyterian Church

DETROIT, MI — Jeff Tottem, a Christian pastor, plays a unique role with the Detroit Tigers. He is their designated chaplain, one of 30 spiritual leaders throughout Major League Baseball whose job it is to service the religious needs of Major League players, visiting teams, park employees, traveling media and umpires.

Tottem also oversees the chapel leaders for all of Detroit's minor league teams Toledo, Ohio; Erie, Pa. and Grand Rapids.

Tottem spoke to a group of about 60 at Grosse Pointe Woods First Presbyterian Church Wednesday evening and delivering a lecture/sermon that several in attendance called interesting and compelling.

He connected a religious message with real-life experiences as the Tigers chaplain, time spent as a 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics chaplain and as a kid who graduated Andover High School in Bloomfield Hills in 1976, about the same time found God.

Tottem, who has been with the Tigers since 1991, declined a one-on-one interview, citing "strict" rules forbidding it within the Baseball Chapel, the organization overseeing the 500 volunteer chapel leaders throughout the the Major and Minor leagues.

In his discussion, he did however reveal some insights about his dealings with the Detroit Tigers that many people likely do now know:

There are four sermons each Sunday at Comerica Park: One for safety workers, one for the visiting team, one for the Tigers and a final one for umpires.

In old Tiger Stadium, Tottem conducted services for the Tigers in their weight room. If someone happened to be working out, they got a sermon "for free" he said. The visiting team sermon was delivered in the community showers, sitting on towels or standing. There is a designated space in the new stadium for religious services.

There are two chapel services offered for the minor league teams, one in English; the other in Spanish. Half the league is Spanish speaking, said Tottem, so "the lower you go, the harder it is for the guys to understand English because they are newer to it."

Detroit Tigers pitcher Darin Downs, a devout Christian was struck in the head nearly four years while pitching AA in Tampa and nearly died. The ball ricocheted off his head and into the dugout. He could not talk and subsequently spent five days in intensive care. "Since then I have been applying the Lord's Word into my life, marriage and family," Downs wrote in a testimony that Tottem shares in his ministry.

Some current Tigers who identify as practicing Christians and participate in Tottems chapel: Ramon Santiago, Quintin Berry, Darin Downs, Tori Hunter, Casey Crosby, Don Kelly, Matt Tuiasosopo,

Tottem's Score Ministries creates religious-style baseball cards with current and former Detroit Tiger players, including Torii Hunter, Darin Downs, Matt Tuiasosopo,Willie Horton and Donnie Kelly. On the front is a traditional baseball action shot of the player; on the back is a story explaining how they came to become faithful Christians.

Frank Tananna, who pitched played Major League Baseball from 1973 to 1993 — from 1988 to 1992 with Detroit — is a friend of Tottem's and a preacher

Baseball Chapel is an international ministry recognized by Major and Minor League Baseball and is responsible for the appointment and oversight of all team chapel leaders. Learn more about Baseball Chapel and about Tottem's Score International Ministries.