Walking the Walk

I’m a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. I saw them in 1982 on television in the World Series and became instantly hooked. I’m loyal to a fault at times. Let me explain. I defend poor behavior and judgments if I like a team, a player, a musician, etc. For example, to this day, I still like Charles Barkley. He was my favorite NBA player even though he made some really poor decisions over his the course of his career. Professional athletes and organizations make them. Guess what? So do I, and so do you, too. Charles Barkley famously said he is not a role model, that parents and teachers are role models. Organizations and people have this in common. We may disagree with the behavior and actions of our favorite teams and players. We still love them, right?

Turns out, my grandfather was a St. Louis fan, too. He shared stories with me about Bob Gibson walking the bases loaded only to strike out the side. Years later in 1985, my little hometown in NE Mississippi was able to pick up KMOX on the radio, which truly is how baseball was intended to be enjoyed. Jack Buck and Mike Shannon calling the games only enhanced my feelings about this team. They’ve made some pretty crazy but memorable calls, too (see “Go crazy, folks; go crazy!”).

Although I never witnessed those memorable playoff games people still talk about (just mention “Game 6” to a Cardinals fan), we’ve been blessed to be able to watch them live several times. We’ve seen their farm team at Memphis. I watched Old Timer games in which Bob Gibson still threw heat. I met Curt Flood, got his autograph, and gave it to my grandfather. No matter what they do or how they play, they are still my team. I don’t always agree with every move or decision they make. We don’t always have to agree either, do we? The important part is to love one another like Jesus.

Although I may not agree with you or your decisions and vice versa, we do not have to belittle, berate, or Bible-thump someone into submission. Or, in this day and age, I do not have to create elaborate FaceBook posts explaining why you are wrong and I am right, which really appears to be more of a public, written argument rather than a conversation.

Are these methods really effective?

Not for me. Probably not for you, either.

When scanning promotions for St. Louis one day, I noticed they had a Christian Day at the Ballpark promotion. I wasn’t aware they had these events. I’m not sure how long they’ve happened or the history of them. But, we gave it a shot. It was a scorching day, extremely hot. But, it was worth it. I’ve been able to attend other events, too. I’ve been able to hear some pretty amazing baseball players and managers (such as Lance Berkman, Matt Holliday, Seth Smith, Albert Pujols, Mike Matheny, Clint Hurdle, and Adam Wainwright) share their faith. Honestly, it’s reassuring to me. These guys get paid big money to play a game. But, there’s always something bigger than baseball at stake. It’s our relationship with Jesus Christ.

I heard Clint Hurdle, manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, say, “There are two kinds of people: Those who are humble and those who are about to be.” That quote has stuck with me. I’ve shared it many times. I’m also living it right now! Jesus certainly lived and practiced humility. I once heard Adam Wainwright share how he was blessed to have been injured so he could spend more time with his family. Here’s a Major League pitcher talking about being grateful for his injury. It’s hard for some of us to understand this, but that’s how we are supposed to live, right? We are supposed to praise Him in our storms.

I once heard a preacher say simply but truthfully: We are either a slave to our sins or a slave to Christ. We keep doing the things we have always done, or we turn from them and run to Jesus. I fail at this. There are many times my priorities get out of whack. I put things or other relationships above my relationship with the Lord. We are human. We make mistakes. We can turn back to Him any time.

While I agree Barkley is right on one level, I do, however, believe athletes and professional sports organizations do share an ethical and moral responsibility to be good examples. As great as Christian Day at the Ballpark is in my opinion, I watch players and organizations put the world ahead of their relationship with Christ. You see this during lots of at bats or blown pitches when players curse. I watch my beloved team do this. Mike Matheny practices servant leadership. I’ve read he got tossed by an ump while not muttering a curse word. At the same time, what are these player reactions teaching the kids that play the game? Sadly, I’ve witnessed this on the little league baseball field when kids make mistakes and curse, too.

Is that what you want for your own child? If you’re the player and your kid watches you react this way, what will you say or do then?

I don’t agree with everything St. Louis does. I don’t agree with every move the Front Office or Mike Matheny makes. But, I still love the team. I make mistakes all the time (just ask my wife!). Rather than receive an outpouring of hatred, my family and friends still love me. While we will disagree, can I challenge us to do it in a way that is loving and kind? I know. It may not be popular. But, I think it’s the right thing to do. Of faith, hope, and love, love is the greatest. I can’t force you to believe how I believe and vice versa. Thank God, right. I can tell you how Jesus has changed my life. I can share how He loves me no matter what. If we are going to say we are Christ followers, we need to “walk the walk.” We need to act like it. We need to practice it. We need to love one another.

#Jesus #Christ #Leadership #Servant #MLB #NBA #STLCards