MILWAUKEE/SOUTHEAST ASIA -- As a 10-year Major League veteran, Brewers relief pitcher Blaine Boyer has about everything the world has to offer -- relative fame and fortune and a wonderful family. At 34 years old, he's in a position to do whatever he wants. The sky is the limit, but Boyer has a higher calling.
Blaine Boyer
"When you have young boys and young women that are somewhere in this world right now that are being raped over and over and over, as bad as that is, we come back here to play a baseball game. In my human eyes, there's something wrong with that," Boyer said.
This past off-season, Boyer and close friend Adam LaRoche, who is now retired from baseball went undercover in southeast Asia for 10 days with hidden cameras to help rescue some very young sex slaves.
"It's a situation that's really scary. It's heartbreaking. I really, honestly believe that anybody who happened to see what we saw would be compelled to get our hands dirty with the whole situation and get on the front lines -- be the boots on the ground -- to be able to come back and tell a story," Boyer said.
Boyer's heart is obviously in fighting sex slavery, but it's not something he just wants to do. He feels it is a call from God.
Blaine Boyer
"It has to go back to my faith every time. I feel like, as humans, we were born into being slaves of sin. But God sent his only son to actually come rescue us, and so it just strikes a chord -- being able to go help with a rescue of another human being that can do nothing about the situation that they're in," Boyer said.
Though they don't seek the limelight, Boyer and LaRoche are spreading the word about the atrocities of sex trafficking. What Boyer witnessed did more than break his heart.
"To say that it has been broken is an understatement. The stuff that we witnessed, the stuff that we saw, I'm scarred for life from that. But it is a very weird situation because you're so thankful for the scars. You're so thankful for the fact that these images and situations have been branded into your heart for a reason," Boyer said.
The mission is dangerous. Exact locations, video and pictures can't be revealed.
Boyer said if they're ever discovered interfering with a $32 million per year global industry, they could get thrown off a roof. Yet the husband and father of two young boys will continue to have the courage of his convictions, calling it a decision for God's kingdom.
"I certainly don't want my boys, my wife for that matter to look at me and remember me, when it's all said and done, as Blaine Boyer the baseball player. I want my boys to see a daddy that had a faith, a true faith that he acted on, so that when they grow up, they had an example before them," Boyer said.
When called out of the bullpen, Boyer is all about focusing on striking batters out for the Brewers, but he's never far away from his "higher" calling.
"There's some times when I'll close my eyes and think about people that we saw out there, situations that we were in. There are people out there who are 100% being held against their will, and if we can be a voice for those crying out for Him, then I'm thankful to be that voice," Boyer said.
Boyer doesn't expect everyone to get on the front lines in the fight against sex slavery, but he welcomes anyone who would like to join the team, in any capacity.
Blaine Boyer
"Who wants to get in the fight with me? That's my whole thing. There's a fight going on and who wants to join it? We can sit on the sidelines and watch from abroad -- or we can join it. So bring it. Let's go. I'd love to help," Boyer said.
If you're interested in helping out, Boyer can be reached through the Brewers.