Who Owns Who?

            Several years ago, I read that one of Babe Ruth's bats sold for $63,000. Now, you can buy a good bat for quite a bit less, so what makes this one different? The owner.

            If you are a Christian, you are owned by Jesus Christ. That's why you have  special value as a human being. You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

            This is also a reason fellowship with other Christians is so important. They, too, are owned by Jesus.

            In a letter emphasizing the community of Christ, Paul writes, “19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies”(I Cor. 6:19-20.) NIV

Reggie Jackson Steals Second

            Several years ago, TODAY IN THE WORD related this story about Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson:

            Players who are in the game don’t always see the game. Even a star like the great Reggie Jackson still needed a coach.

            Earl Weaver demonstrated this point when he managed Reggie for the Baltimore Orioles. One of Weaver’s rules about base stealing was that runners had to have a signal before stealing.

            This upset Reggie because he had studied many of the pitchers and catchers in the league. He knew those he could steal against.

            During one game Reggie stole a base without a signal. His technique was flawless. He certainly didn’t expect the coach to disagree with his decision.

            But Weaver pulled him aside and explained why there had been no signal. Reggie’s action, though successful, had actually helped the other team. By having first base open, the opponents had been able to walk the next man (a powerful hitter). That forced Weaver to use a pinch hitter too early in the game.

            The coach trusted Reggie’s ability, but he also knew that it wasn’t time to steal a base. The player had a limited view; the coach saw the whole game.

            Humility realizes that this is the way it is with God. We have a limited view; God sees all.

Hurray for Mediocrity

           Bob Uecker was baseball’s patron saint of average. He parlayed a forgettable career as a catcher for several teams into a television career (MR. BELVADERE and numerous appearances on talk shows) and a broadcasting career, which gained him an entrance into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

            Known for his wit and self-deprecating humor, here is how he described his biggest thrill: "The biggest thrill a ballplayer can have is when your son takes after you. That happened when my Bobby was in his championship Little League game. He really showed me something. Struck out three times. Made an error that lost the game. Parents were throwing things at our car and swearing at us as we drove off. Gosh, I was proud."

            Talent can take you to the major leagues, but a sense of humor can take you even further.

The Daughter Who Booed Her Father

            Fatherhood can be tough.

            Sparky Anderson was one of Major League Baseball's all-time great managers. He had a nickname, "Captain Hook." He was given that nickname because he so often went out to the mound and pulled his pitchers from the ball game.

            Pitchers hated it. The fans did not like it much either. Most the time, they would boo whenever Sparky would come out of the dugout.

            One night, Sparky removed the pitcher and was booed heavily by the crowd. Later, he found out his own daughter, Shirley, had booed him.

            "Why would you boo your father?" he asked her, surprised.

            "I didn't want them to know you're my father," she honestly replied.

            Fatherhood can be tough.

  

Source: THE LONG BALL by Tom Adelman

He Stole First!

Lawrence Ritter wrote one of the greatest baseball books of all time--THE GLORY OF THEIR TIMES. It came about because Ritter, in the 1960s, traveled all over the country interviewing the great Major League Baseball players from the turn-of-the-century.

One of the stories found in the book was told about Germany Schaefer, who was a teammate of Ty Cobb on the Detroit Tigers. Germany Schaefer was the last man to steal first base. Let me explain.

The Tigers were playing Cleveland and, late in the game, the two teams were tied. Future Hall of Famer, Davy Jones, was on third base, while Schaefer was on first. Immediately before a pitch, Schaefer flashed Jones the sign for a double steal. This signified that Schaefer would steal second on the next pitch. If he drew a throw from the catcher, Jones would run for home plate.

The pitcher delivered and, sure enough, Schaefer stole second. However, the catcher refused to throw the ball to second, so Jones had to remain on third base. Now, men were on second and third.

During the next pitch, Schaefer shouted, “Let’s try again!”  Screaming like a banshee, Schaefer sprinted to first base and dove with a head-first slide. He was hoping the catcher would throw to first, but again, the catcher held on to the ball.

As for everyone else, fans and players included, they stood with their mouths wide open. They were completely stunned.

The next pitch, Schaefer let out another whoop and stole second again. This steal attempt aggravated the catcher so much that he DID throw the ball to second. Jones, then, tore off for home. Both runners were safe, and Detroit had scored a run.

Later, Major League Baseball outlawed stealing first. I have to chalk one up for Germany Schaefer. He was resourceful, if he was anything.

I believe we, as Christians, should be resourceful when it comes to the Kingdom of God. We should use our finances, our skills, our time, and every gift God gives to help advance the Kingdom. We may not steal home, but we will help others find a home—in heaven.