A Gentleman of the Game

Ernie Harwell,the 92 year old Hall of Fame Detroit Tigers baseball announcer, passed away on Tuesday, May 4 after a battle with cancer. Ernie was in a class all his own.

Harwell had a deep love for the game and faith in Jesus Christ. He trusted Christ in 1961 at a Billy Graham Crusade. "Whatever happens, I'm ready to face it," Harwell told The Associated Press on Sept. 4, 2009. "I have a great faith in God and Jesus."

Ernie Harwell kicked off each new baseball season with this quote from the Song of Solomon 2:11-12.
For, lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of the singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

Ernie Harwell belonged to another generation. A generation that valued honesty, integrity and character. In a culture that creates and worships pop celebrities, Harwell was a reminder of another way of life - simpler and kinder.

This past week, baseball lost an icon. A one-of-a-kind man who lived his passion. Baseball lost one of the true gentlemen of the game.

The Worth of A Man

We heard Dave Dravecky speak tonight at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet. Dave's story is one of endurance, encouragement and hope. You can read more about the Dravecky's and their ministry on their website.

Dave's message is about finding our value and meaning in who we are, not what we do. He shared this poem, called The Worth of A Man by Carla Muir.

I once believed that what I did
placed value on my worth.
And walking where great men have walked,
I saw my dream give birth.

But dreams don't always last through life;
in fact, they often die.
The day I watched my dream pass on-
all alone stood I.

And in the searching of my soul,
God gave to me new peace.
Today I'm living other dreams-
the kind that will not cease.

In Jesus' eyes I'm valued so
much greater than I see
My worth is not in what I do;
it's in Christ's death for me.

Tonight, Dave Dravecky inspired us to persevere through adversity in order to reach a dream. He encouraged us to make a difference with our lives. That who we are and who we are becoming is more important that what we do. That cancer can take a man's limb, but that it can never rob him of his worth.

Tonight, Dave Dravecky reminded us about the source of the worth of a man.

The Courage to Believe

Jackie Robinson broke into major league baseball 62 years ago today. In memory of that event all major league players are wearing Jackie Robinson's No. 42. Two years ago, on the 60th anniversary of Robinson's big-league debut, one player on each team symbolically wore No. 42.

Introduced to a standing ovation, Rachel Robinson stepped to the podium at Citi Field, the new home of the New York Mets, and smiled as she gazed around the regal new rotunda that bears her husband's name. Before Monday's 6-5 loss to San Diego, the Mets unveiled the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, a sprawling marble and granite tribute to Robinson that adorns the entrance of the new $800 million park. Much of Citi Field serves as an architectural homage to Robinson's home park, Ebbets Field.

High above the ballpark entrance, an inscription of his famous quote: "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." At the other end of the room, an 8-foot, blue sculpture of his No. 42.

Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars read aloud his nine values, articulated in a book written by his daughter, Sharon, and now etched around the rotunda: courage, excellence, persistence, justice, teamwork, commitment, citizenship, determination, integrity.

Jackie Robinson was an incredible man. I wrote about him two years ago here.

In our Lead Like Jesus group this morning we discussed our life mission, vision and value statements. The older I get the more I desire to make a lasting impact on people. To live a life that intentionally connects with God's purpose and mission. To make a difference and to leave the world a better place.

Jackie just didn't talk about a life mission, he lived it. Jackie didn't discuss the values that shaped his life, he lived them. Today baseball honors a man who helped change not only the game, but our nation. Today we honor the memory of a true American hero who had the courage to believe that one person can make a difference.

Where, O Death, Is Your Sting?

By now you may have heard that 22 year old Anaheim Angel pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a hit and run car accident yesterday in California. The driver of the minivan that struck the car in which Adenhart was riding, 22-year-old Andrew Thomas Gallo, was later apprehended and was legally intoxicated. He had a suspended license and a previous drunk-driving conviction. Two other passengers in the car were also killed

Nick Adenhart was a 14th round draft pick of the Angels in 2004 and pitched here in Cedar Rapids in 2006, posting a 10-2 record with a 1.95 ERA in sixteen games. He was named to the 2006 Midwest League Western Division All-Star team and also the 2006 Midwest League post-season All-Star team.

This was a tragic and needless death. This being Good Friday, I probably spent more time than I otherwise might have, reflecting on this incident. The thing that absolutely grabs my heart is when I watch the Angel Press Conference with Adenhart's agent, Scott Boras. Please watch the video and the way that Boras breaks down in tears.

Now, if you're not a baseball fan, what you need to know is that Boras is the toughest and most hated negotiator in the sport. In its April, 2001 edition, Esquire writer Scott Raab called Scott Boras the Most Hated Man in Baseball. Slate magazine called him "The Baseball Anti-Christ." Trust me, without going into details, Boras' hard-nose, take no prisoners reputation is well deserved!

To watch a man like Boras break down in tears reminds me that even the strong and powerful are not immune from the tragedies of life. And then I reflect on the tragedy of a young Jewish man who was falsely accused of a crime he didn't commit, cruely punished, publicly humiliated, and brutally beaten and crucified. This is a tragedy of epic proportion.

This tragedy brings me to my knees when I realized that my Savior took my place and paid my penalty. He did for me what I couldn't do for myself!

Friday is a day of tragedy. But I'm thankful for Sunday and the empty tomb. I'm thankful that Jesus Christ hung on a cross and died for my sin. I'm thankful that senseless tragedies will one day be made right. That pain and suffering will be swallowed up by life.

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 1 Corinthians 15:54-55

Play Ball!

In case you haven't checked your calendar lately, it's now officially spring. Don't let the threat of a wintry mix of precipitation fool you. Spring is here!

How do I know? Today is Opening Night for the 2009 major league baseball season. It's the Braves versus the Phillies.

So settle in for the evening. Grab your peanuts and popcorn. They're throwing out the first pitch tonight in the city of brotherly love. Play ball!

World Champs

The baseball world is in shock. The Netherlands baseball team beat the highly esteemed Dominican Republic team twice in four days to advance to the second round of the World Baseball Classic.

The Dominican Republic is often referred to as the "The Republic of Baseball." Not Tuesday night. Not this year. The Dominican team, which was a pre-tournament favorite to win it all, went home in shame.

The 2-1 extra inning victory and elimination of the Dominicians is being hailed as the biggest upset in baseball history! Consider the following:

• 23 members of the Dominician team are on a major league roster, compared to only two from the Dutch team
• The major league salaries of the Dominican team total $84 million compared to $400,000 for the Dutch team

"I don't have big names, but I've got some long names," Netherlands coach Rod Delmonico joked. Names like Van Klooster, Duursma, and Stuifbergen. Good grief, I can't even pronounce them.

“It’s a miracle,” Delmonico exclaimed. “That’s all I can tell you. Our guys came together as a team, and miraculously we won. It’s not because we’re better than they are. They’re one of the best teams in the world. Collectively we just played hard, and it happened. I can’t tell you. Other than it’s a miracle.”

"I've been in this game for so many years and in so many leagues, and just when you think you've seen it all, you're proven wrong," said Dominican Republic manager Felipe Alou. "We've seen something happen we never could have imagined."

Something that could never be imagined happened Tuesday night. A miracle was witnessed by an entire stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The ecstatic Dutch players, who are known as honkballers in their home country, piled onto the field to celebrate the stunning win. For one brief moment in time, the team from the Netherlands was world champs!

I Was Stupid

What's in a name? Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Jose Canseco and now Alex Rodriguez. All of these names have been linked to performance-enhancing drugs. Names that took a life-time to build now tarnished by scandal. Names that were once larger than life, reduced to finger pointing, excuse making and embarrassment.

By now you've probably heard that reports came out over the weekend that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003. Today, Alex Rodriguez spoke with Peter Gammons and admitted that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-2003 while playing with the Texas Rangers.

Alex Rodriguez, a three-time MVP, will now have to deal with the backlash of public opinion. In New York City they are calling him A-Roid. It won't be pretty. Kudos to Alex, if even under duress, for coming clean. Perhaps Alex will be an example that others will soon follow.

And now the debate rages on regarding the Baseball Hall of Fame and if these player from the steroid era should and will be considered. Commentators and analysts are already calling the Baseball Hall of Fame hypocritical for keeping Mark McGwire out. The argument goes that you should only measure what goes on between the lines.

But the critics overlook one important piece of information. The Hall of Fame ballot says "a player's record of achievement, contribution to the team, the game, their character, longevity and sportsmanship should be considered."

You see, the Hall of Fame is "old school." They think that sportsmanship, character and teamship count. And they weigh these "intangibles" as heavily as achievement. What a novel idea!

What's in a name? Proverbs 22:1 says, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."

A good name is to be desired and esteemed. A good name along with a record of achievement makes you eligible for Cooperstown. A good name means you don't have to worry what informants leak to the press. A good name means you don't have to defend decisions you made in the past.

In 2008 Alex Rodriguez made $28 million playing baseball for the New York Yankees. Alex Rodriguex has fame and fortune. But I'm certain after watching the Peter Gammons interview today, that Alex Rodriguez would gladly trade it all in exchange for getting his good name back. Alex said it best when he said, "I was stupid."

The Bottom of the 9th

Tom Rinaldi from ESPN has done another incredible human interest story from the field of sports. He is the best story teller I have ever heard. This piece on John Challis is a must see.

The John Challis story was brought to the nations attention after Mike White from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote a great article that was published May 4, 2008. John Challis was diagnosed with cancer on June 23, 2006. He was only given several months to live. He exceeded doctors expectations before passing away August 18 of this year.

John Challis was an ordinary young man who determined to use his circumstance for good. Here is what he had to say about his view of life.

"Sometimes I cry, but people cry for all different kinds of reasons," he said. "Sometimes I just want to know why, but I think I figured that out. God wanted me to get sick because he knew I was strong enough to handle it. I'm spreading His word and my message. By doing that, I'm doing what God put me here to do."

In a little over two years, John Challis touched thousands of lives. Over 1500 attended the visitation after his death. Mike White wrote about the visitation and funeral service and the impact John Challis had on his own personal life. Tom Rinaldi and an ESPN producer attended the funeral, not for professional but personal reasons.

John Challis spent most of his final 2 1/2 years thinking about how to impact others. He was mature beyond his years. John's final act of selflessness occurred during his own funeral service.

Before he died, John asked Joe Signore, a close friend of the family, to give his eulogy. But John had made Mr. Signore promise he would do one thing at the funeral. Mr. Signore asked John's younger sister, Lexie, and his mother and father to leave their first-row pew and come to the front of the church. "Lexie, Gina, Scott. John made me promise to do this," he said. "He told me that you had gotten so many people to applaud him. Now it's your turn." At once, everyone rose and gave the Challises a standing ovation.

Even at his funeral service, John Challis wanted the focus of attention placed on others. John Challis was an incredible young man who knew how to live, and knew how to die. He stands as an inspiration to every person who is ten runs down going into the bottom of the 9th inning.

A Fall Classic

Tonight was an historic moment in baseball. The White Sox beat the Twins 1-0 in the AL Central Division play-off game. This means that both Chicago teams, the Cubs and White Sox, will be in post-season play for the first time since 1906 when they met in the World Series!

Congratulations to the Twins for a great season. It's too bad that their season had to end this way. And I still don't understand why home-field advantage is decided by a coin flip rather than going to the team that had the best head-to-head record.

But be that as it may, the Sox will be playing the Rays next Thursday in the American League Division Series. It should be a great series. The Rays are the biggest baseball story of the summer.

And what have the Rays done? Until this year, the Rays had a string of 10 straight seasons of at least 90 losses, a new American League record! The Rays entered this season with a career winning percentage of .399. They finished last in nine of their first 10 years. They had the worst record in baseball in each of the last two seasons.

Yet, somehow, this team with a $43 million payroll beat back the mighty New York Yankees and outlasted the world champion Boston Red Sox. They finished with a division best 97 wins and 65 losses. Their payroll ranks 29th out of 30 teams, well behind the $209 million spent by the Yankees!

I'm happy for the Rays and their incredible story from worst to first. We had the opportunity to see them in spring training 1 1/2 years ago in Ft. Myers, Florida.

But for me, I'm rooting for a White Sox and Cubs World Series. It would be pure bedlam. North siders against south siders. A windy city showdown! It would be a fall classic for the ages!

It Ain't Over When It's Over

As a lifelong baseball fan, I'm totally enjoying the ESPN broadcast tonight of the last game in Yankee Stadium. The 85 year old ballpark is full of memories and nostalgia. With the closing of Yankee Stadium, only Wrigley Field in Chicago and Fenway Park in Boston are left of the old parks.

The pre-game ceremonies were moving as they honored many of the Yankee greats. Sons, daughters, wives and entire families took their place on the field representing players who are no longer living. I especially enjoyed the introduction of Bobby Richardson at second base. Sharon and I had the opportunity to enjoy dinner with Bobby and his wife Betsy several years ago when he was in Cedar Rapids to speak at the FCA banquet.

And an evening of Yankee baseball wouldn't be complete without Yogi Berra. The special piece that ESPN did with Yogi on Yankee Stadium is very moving. The piece and the telecast reminds us that time moves on. Nothing stands still. Our heros age and even pass away. Some, like Thurmon Muson and Lou Gehrig, leave us much too soon. Big plays, big games, and even championships fade into the past. We're left with stories of days gone by.

But memories don't have to anchor us to the past. Memories can propel us into the future. Long after the important events and people in our lives are gone, we can take their memories with us. They can inspire us to a better future.

And tonight, after the lights go out at Yankee Stadium, the memories will continue on. As Yogi says, "Like the home runs that built it, this place will soon be out of here. Gone. History. Only this time it ain't over when it's over. So I'm not going to miss it. I'm not going to dream about perfect games and championships. I'm going to remember them."

Honesty

Lance Greco sent me a link to a ESPN article today titled, Santangelo admits HGH use, says he'll 'face the music'. In my blog yesterday, Let the Games Begin, I mentioned that I'm waiting for just one baseball player to step forward to take personal responsibility for his HGH use.

Well, the wait is over. F.P. Santangelo, a seven year veteran who last played with the Oakland A's, was one of the players named in the Mitchell Report. Santangelo now works for Sacramento's KHTK Radio as a member of, "The Rise Guys" morning show. This morning he came on the air and admitted that he had used HGH. Here are some of the quotes from the MLB article.

In an emotional two-hour radio appearance, the seven-year major league veteran, who last played with the Oakland A's in 2001, confessed to using human growth hormone, explained how and why he did it and publicly apologized to his two kids, his ex-wife, his parents and listeners. He talked about the difficulty he had in explaining it all to his children.

Santangelo's honesty, his candor and his willingness to accept responsibility for what he had done touched some listeners and infuriated others. Opinions ranged from, "You're a liar," "You should resign," and "What should I tell my kid?" to "You don't owe anyone an apology," "I commend you for telling the truth," and "Keep your head up." Santangelo absorbed it all, telling listeners, "I made this bed and now I have to lie in it."

Friday, Santangelo described the release of the Mitchell report as a "relief," telling ESPN.com it was something he had wanted to "scream from the top of a mountain" for some time now, but fear of litigation kept him from doing so.

"This is just me," he said. "I hit things head-on. I'm honest to a fault. I never run away from anything. Once I knew this was coming out, I wasn't going to hide from it."

As difficult as it was to listen to critical phone calls, Santangelo said the hardest part was sitting down with his kids a month ago to explain to them about the decision he'd made. When a caller asked what he should tell his 10-year-old son about Santangelo's inclusion in the report, the former major leaguer instructed him to tell him the exact same thing he told F.P. Jr. "I told him, 'You make mistakes. If you make the right decision in the first place, you won't have to go through what I have. But if you do make a wrong decision, you handle it head-on, with humility and you move on.' "My kids are learning a very good life lesson right now. Their Dad screwed up but he faced the music and is dealing with it head-on."

At the end of his two-hour radio stint, Santangelo again apologized to his friends, his family and his listeners. He again took accountability for his actions and admitted he made a horrible mistake and that everyone's criticism was warranted.

Kudos to Santangelo for being a stand up guy. He's admitted his error and is taking responsibility for his decisions. Admission of guilt is always the first step toward recovery and healing. Santangelo has discovered the peace of mind that comes with honesty.

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but however confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13

Let The Games Begin

The Mitchell Report was released today. In case you haven't been following the HGH scandal in baseball, former Senator George Mitchell was selected in March 2006 to head an independent probe into the drug scandal in baseball.

Many of the names released today were not new. BALCO had already linked Bonds, Giambi and Sheffield. But other names like Clemens and Pettit were surprises. The new report linked more than 50 players to performance-enhancing drugs who had not been previously associated with doping.

"Every American, not just baseball fans, ought to be shocked by that disturbing truth," Mitchell said. Baseball started testing for steroids in 2002 leading to the "growth" (no pun intended) in Human Growth Hormone use. Unlike steroids, HGH is not detectable through urine testing.

Mitchell said former baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent told him the problem was possibly "the most serious challenge that baseball has faced since the 1919 Black Sox scandal" - when Chicago White Sox players conspired with gamblers to affect the outcome of the World Series championship.

"By and large, the conduct of the players' association was a disgrace and an outrage," Dick Pound, chief of the World Anti-Doping Agency told Reuters. The head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Travis Tygart, said: "It is a sad, sad day for the national pastime and all who love America. All involved should be ashamed."

Disgrace, outrage, shame, crisis of integrity - all serious challenges to the game of baseball. And how will the players and their association respond to these serious charges? Just watch. There will be blame shifting, finger pointing, excuses and explanations galore. Here are just a few we might hear:

• My agent made me do it.
• I didn't know it was illegal.
• I thougth it was clear cream.
• My mom recommended it to me.
• All my teammates were doing it.
• I've never heard of HGH.
• I used it but didn't inhale.

I'm eagerly waiting for one player, just one player, to step forward and take responsibility for his own actions. I'm waiting for just one person to say, "I used HGH and it was wrong. I made a mistake and I'm sorry. I've been a poor role model. I appeal to young people who look up to me to not make the same mistake that I made. HGH and steroids are very dangerous. I'm sincerely sorry for what I have done. I will use the rest of my career to repair the damage I have helped to cause and hope to regain your trust."

I'm waiting, but I'm not too hopeful. Baseball has ceased to be a sport and has become just another form of entertainment. The bottom line is the dollar. Decisions are made by whatever it takes to put people in the stands. Baseball has become just another game. The word "integrity" and baseball no longer belong in the same sentence. Baseball more closely resembles WWF (it's now officially called the World Wrestling Entertainment) or Roller Derby.

Here is how Wikipedia describes professional wrestling - a simulated sport and performing art which combines wrestling with theater. Baseball might want to take notice. That's not a bad definition. Professional Baseball - a simulated sport and performing art which combines baseball with theater.

Maybe there's a reason that major league baseball is referred to as The Show. Maybe baseball never was a sport. Maybe it was always about entertainment. Who really cares if their favorite actor or artist is using HGH or steroids? It's all about the latest song or movie.

So, if you're looking for some good entertainment this week, watch as baseball players run for cover, dodge accusations and parse verbs. It's all part of the script. It's good theater. Let the games begin!

For The Love of the Game

There's just something about kids and baseball. I love watching kids play the game. I love their innocence, their enthusiasm, and their passion. Watching children hit the ball and run the bases reminds me all over again why I love the game of baseball.

I love the game of baseball, it's just those who turn it into a business that I don't like. The "professionalism" of baseball has created an ugly caricature that only dimly approximates the game I love. Professional baseball has exchanged teams for markets, players for agents, fans for media outlets, and hand shakes for contracts.

Professional baseball has created stars like Alex Rodriguez who recently opted out of his $252 million contract, demanding that the Yankees put $350 million on the table before he would even talk to them. Professional baseball has created managers like Joe Torre, who turned down $5 million a year from the Yankees with incentives that would guarantee $8 million if he took the team to the World Series. Torre turned down the offer that would have made him the best paid manager in baseball because he didn't feel respected.

Events like these remind me that the game I see played on television is entertainment. It's a business that's dominated by stars, controlled by money and managed to maximize profit. It's entertainment that resembles the game of baseball. It's an imitation of the real game that I played as a child.

The real game of baseball that I have come to love is played by people who compete for the love of the game. It's played by children, teens and adults who gather in neighborhood parks to play catch. The spirit of the game of baseball is alive and well. It's untarnished by large egos, spiraling salaries, steroid and human growth hormone scandals, escalating ticket prices and labor disputes.

The game of baseball that I've come to love is played by children who know nothing of contracts, agents or naming rights. It's played by people whose only negotiation is what time they have to come home for dinner. It's played by those who compete for the love of the game.

No Coincidence

Tell me that I've been dreaming. Tell me that I didn't see what I think I just saw two nights ago. Tell me that the National League Championship Series is still going on. And that the Colorado Rockies were eliminated after a nice run during the month of October.

Tell me this is true because I heard an unbelievable story two days ago. I heard that the Rockies won the National League pennant. I know, I know, that's impossible.

It's impossible because the Rockies were just four games over .500 on September 15. It's impossible because the Rockies were nine games under .500 (18-27) in May. It impossible because the Rockies were six games out in the wild-card race in September and 4½ games back in that wild-card race with only nine games to play. It's impossible because the Rockies were two games behind with two games to play.

It must be possible because the Colorado Rockies just accomplished this improbable feat. The Rockies were almost eliminated during the regular season, having to watch that Padres team they were trying to catch get within one strike of clinching. The Rockies came from two runs behind in the 13th inning of the 163rd game of the year, a game they never should have had a chance to play in the first place. The Rockies have won 21 out of 22 games during this stretch to become one of the hottest teams to ever play the game. Only five teams during the past 70 years have had as good a record, and no team has ever done it during a stretch run.

During this streak the Rockies became just the second team in history (along with the 1976 Big Red Machine) to sweep its first two postseason series in any given October. Tell me I didn't just see all this! Jayson Stark from ESPN calls the story of the Rockies "one of the most historic, most astonishing, most compelling stories in baseball history."

What can all this be attributed to? Has God all of a sudden become a Rockies fan? Doubtful! Dumb luck? I don't think so. Perhaps the June 1, 2006 USA Today story about the Rockies will give us some insight. I encourage you to take the time to read the story in it's entirety. Here are some quotes from the article

"We had to go to hell and back to know where the Holy Grail is. We went through a tough time and took a lot of arrows," says Rockies chairman and CEO Charlie Monfort, one of the original owners. Monfort did, too. He says that after years of partying, including 18 months' probation for driving while impaired, he became a Christian three years ago. It influenced how he wanted to run the club, he says. "We started to go after character six or seven years ago, but we didn't follow that like we should have," he says. "I don't want to offend anyone, but I think character-wise we're stronger than anyone in baseball. Christians, and what they've endured, are some of the strongest people in baseball. I believe God sends signs, and we're seeing those."

Hurdle (the Rockies Manager), 48, who says he became a Christian three years ago, says of the team's devotion: "We're not going to hide it. We're not going to deny it. This is who we are." While praising their players, Rockies executives make clear they believe God has had a hand in the team's improvement. "You look at things that have happened to us this year," O'Dowd (Rockies General Manager) says. "You look at some of the moves we made and didn't make. You look at some of the games we're winning. Those aren't just a coincidence. God has definitely had a hand in this."

This article was written in 2006. The Rockies averaged 91 losses a year through the 2005 season. Top management makes an emphasis on recruiting character and honoring God off and on the field. And the Rockies are going to the World Series one year later in one of the most incredible runs in baseball history. Perhaps this isn't a coincidence after all!

Winners

We had the season-ending Linn-Mar Baseball Banquet tonight at the high school. The dish-to-pass didn't disappoint and there was plenty of food to feed the 8th grade through varsity baseball teams!

At the end of the evening they handed out the awards. The season was a little disappointing regarding wins and losses. But we are proud of Jon and how he persevered through the difficulties, never complaining. He finished hitting .333 and led the team in stolen bases.

And this evening, Jon was rewarded for his hard work and positive attitude. He was voted to the Mississippi Valley Conference All-Academic team. And he was voted by his teammates as the Most Valuable Role Player. Coach Lechner said that "Jon is the nicest player he has ever coached."

Way to go Jon! You have been an inspiration to all who watched you play this year. Thanks for giving your best, working hard, and doing it all with a positive attitude. In the score that matters most, you are a winner in every way!

Oh Happy Day

Yesterday was Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball. It was a great day of celebration. Individual players and even entire teams wore number 42 in tribute to Jackie Robinson. But the person who stole the show, in my opinion, was Rachel Robinson, Jackie's wife.

Rachel Robinson, the founder of The Jackie Robinson Foundation, was given the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award yesterday during the Sunday's ceremony at Dodger Stadium. The award was presented by Commissioner Bud Selig and honors Rachel Robinson for her "contribution and sacrifice to the legacy of her husband," who passed away in 1972.

Rachel Robinson is the first woman to receive the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award. She founded the Jackie Robinson Foundation in 1973 as a public, not-for-profit organization to serve as an advocate for young people with the greatest need. Under Mrs. Robinson's leadership, JRF has awarded scholarships to 1,200 students from 43 states and the District of Columbia, totaling over $14.5 million.

During the television broadcast of the Dodgers and Padres game last evening, Rachel Robinson joined announcers Jon Miller and Joe Morgan in the booth. She was witty, intelligent, charming, and gracious. Rachel Robinson is one incredible lady! The pre-game show featured a black gospel choir singing Oh Happy Day, Jackie and Rachel Robinson's favorite song.

Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
Washed my sins away (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)

It has been said that Jackie Robinson could not have achieved what he did without Rachel at his side. During his ten year playing career, Rachel attended every Dodger home game. She wanted to make sure that when Jack (as she calls him) looked up into the stands, that he would see at least one person who was cheering for him!

Growing up, Rachel was a determined young woman who knew what she wanted. Listen to what she said attracted her to Jack as transcribed in this 2005 interview.

And then he was – another trait that he – I saw a lot of and – is my favorite and most important one, is a humility about him that I liked. I cannot tolerate arrogance and self importance and all those kinds of things and he had none of that and he just came in and blended in with the students and kind of accepted their greetings of him in a positive way and so between – I started assessing who he was before I – he actually mattered.

Rachel was a young woman with a strong faith in Christ. She describes growing up in her home.

My life centered around Bethel AME Church. My mother was very, very protective and we were not allowed to go very far unchaperoned. But we could go to church anytime, day or night and hopefully, that’s where we were going on her part. And so we would go to church, Bethel. I sang in the choir; I later on began to teach Sunday School until I got to college and so the church was the center of our life for all social things as well as for religious services and that kind of thing.

She met Jack at UCLA when she was a freshman and he was a senior. Jack was the big man on campus and starred in football, basketball, track and baseball. A relationship began but Rachel didn't want to get married until she graduated from nursing school, which led to a five year engagement!

Rachel's father wasn't thrilled with Jackie at first, but her mother approved.

My mother on the other hand was very enthusiastic. She was all very excited and she thought he’s a Christian man; she knows he goes to – he goes to church, he talked about he always prays and he – his spiritual beliefs were there for everybody to examine, he was very close to his church. His best friend was Carl Downs who was the Reverend in his church and so she thought he was ideal in – in every way and had great prospects and she – the only thing she complained about, at the dinner table he told her that he didn’t eat vegetables; that he only ate potatoes and sometimes a tomato. And so she said, “Well, I don’t know how he’s going to manage, you know” and she knew that I was – I’m a – vegetables and fruits and you know, a healthnik and all that. And how are you going to make out with this man that just eat meat and potatoes, you know?

Here is what Rachel has to say about her goal orientation.

I always had five year plans. From the time I was ten years old I had five year plans. I really did. And they, you know, and they give you a sense of direction and – and things to strive for and you know what steps you have to take and I’ve been doing that all my life.

Rachel's sense of direction and purpose has led to many accomplishments in her own right. She became a psychiatric nurse at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, The Director of Nursing at Connecticut Mental Health Center, and Associate and an Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychiatry at Yale School of Nursing.

Today, Rachel describes herself as "an energetic, loving, caring person who's deeply spiritual." She said that she and Jack were "the perfect match." They were true team mates. Jackie's work is finished, Rachel's continues on. Their lives are intertwined by their shared passion to make a difference.

Jackie Robinson said that "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." Our world is better today because of the courage and commitment of Jackie and Rachel Robinson. As far as we have come, there is much left to do. There are goals to strive for and dreams yet to reach. But until that day, we remember our Jesus who has washed our sin away. Oh happy day!

No. 42

To the average American the number 42 is meaningless. To those associated with Major League Baseball, number 42 is sacred. 42 was the number worn by Jackie Robinson. The number was issued to him at random during his rookie season, and it's the number he proudly wore on his Dodgers uniform from April 15, 1947 until the end of the 1956 season.

Robinson retired in 1956 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1962. But it wasn't until ten years later that tensions between Robinson and Walter O'Malley, the team's owner during that era, thawed enough for Robinson to return to the ballpark on the day the Dodgers retired his number.

In 1997, on the 50th anniversary of Robinson breaking the color barrier in the Major Leagues, Commissioner Bud Selig retired No. 42 throughout baseball, grandfathering in only the players then wearing the number. Mariano Rivera, who joined the Yankees in 1995, is the only active player still wearing Robinson's number.

On Sunday, Selig "unretired" the number for a day. Many players, and a few full teams, including the Dodgers, will wear No. 42 in honor of Robinson.

It's ironic that in spite of the trail Robinson blazed, the number of American blacks on major league baseball teams continues to drop. Participation of American blacks declined from 28% in 1975 to 8.5% today. Baseball may still be referred to as our "national pastime," but increasing it is becoming an international sport. In 2006, 27% of the major league players were foreign born.

But on Sunday, April 15, we pause to recognize the accomplishment of one of the greatest men to have ever played the game of baseball. Jackie Robinson excelled on and off the field. His memory and heritage continue on.

Jackie Robinson once said, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." Jackie Robinson impacted a city, a game, a nation, and an entire culture. Number 42 lives on.

Win, Lose or Draw!

Have you ever heard of a tie in baseball? We saw one today! The final score was the Boston Red Sox 3 and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 3. Most teams don't play extra innings in spring training for fear of injury or over taxing their pitching staff.

The stars were on display. We got to see Manny Rameriz, David Ortiz, Carl Crawford, and Jorge Cantu all play and get hits. Jonathan Papelbon came into the game and worked a perfect 9th inning to get the tie! Does that sound funny or what!

But the hitting stars for Boston were Alex Ochoa who hit a home run in the 8th inning and Argenis Diaz who hit the tied the game up with one out in the 9th with a homer of his own! Alex and Argenis, not exactly your household names.

It was a great afternoon at the City of Palms Park in Ft. Myers. You can click on the picture above to see a slide show with some action shots of the game. Warning! There are a lot of photos and it may take a while to load on your computer.

And just in case you haven't been paying any attention, Opening Day is on Sunday! Play ball!

Make My Day

Sharon and I went to the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Devil Ray game today. More on that later. This blog post is about what happened before the game.

Traditionally, professional baseball has never been exceptionally "fan friendly." Over the past few years Major League Baseball has been trying to warm up it's image and reach out to younger fans.

For instance, you are now allowed to bring food and beverages in closed plastic containers into major league parks. That's a move in the right direction. Discounted tickets on family days at the park are also popular with young families.

The other thing baseball has been doing is having players sign autographs before and after games. Today Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling spent over 30 minutes signing baseballs, shirts, caps, programs, pictures and anything else that a Sharpie can write on. Kudos to Josh and Curt. There were a lot of happy young children at the park today - and maybe even an adult or two. And no, I didn't even try to get an autograph. I was too busy taking pictures. That's way more fun!

For those blog readers who are baseball fans, you can click on the picture above to see a slide show of the autograph signing. Warning! The non-baseball fan may not fully appreciate all the photos of two people. Enter the slide show at your own risk!

Step Up To The Plate

You knew that is was bound to happen, that it was only a matter of time. Sports talk radio and television was a buzz today regarding the news that the baseball writers slammed the Hall of Fame door into the face of Mark McGwire. He fell a whopping 281 votes shy of enshrinement! And the reason for the snub? It's the fault of the Baseball Writers Association of America. It's a version of "slay the messenger."

The most incredible thing I heard today is that McGwire's problems are due to "moralistic sports writers and journalists." Excuse me, did I hear that right? Moralistic sports writers and journalists? You have to be kidding me! The words moralistic and sports writers don't even belong in the same sentence.

You know, your friendly, neighborhood moralistic sports journalists. The ones who help little old ladies across the street; who call their mothers every Sunday evening; who attend mass, synagogue or their local church twice a week; who volunteer at the soup kitchen on the weekends.

I know, you thought you saw them hanging out at the local bar, cigar in hand, cussing up a storm while complaining about the officiating. But that wasn't really them. They were all attending a Peace Rally and Global Warming Conference at the local college campus!

So blame the moralistic sports writers. They're the ones who encouraged Mark to take performance-enhancing drugs. The moralistic sports writers are the ones who told Mark to "not talk about the past" when questioned about steroid use at the congressional hearing in 2005. This entire "misunderstanding" could have all been cleared up by Mark while under oath if he were to have said, "I never took a performance-enhancing drug." Instead he said nothing, refusing to "talk about the past."

So blame the sports writers if you must. But please don't suggest that Mark McGwire is only being kept out of the Hall of Fame for moralistic reasons. 409 hard-core journalists don't get "religion" overnight and vote in lock step with one another. People are much too intelligent for that.

During his playing days, Mark McGwire loved to come up to bat in the bottom of the 9th with the game on the line. He was a feared, clutch hitter. Someone needs to tell Mark that it's now time to be a man and to take personal responsibility. It's time to stop blaming others for personal indiscretion and poor judgement. Mark, it's time to step up to the plate.