Play Ball for Jesus!
Friday, November 10, 2023
"It's only a hitch when you're in a slump. When you're hitting the ball, it’s called rhythm." - Eddie Mathews
Eddie Mathews was a third baseman who spent 15 of his 18 MLB seasons in a Braves uniform. He played one year with the Boston Braves, 13 with the Milwaukee Braves, and one with the Atlanta Braves. Same franchise, but three different cities, the only player to ever do that.
During his time with the Braves, Eddie formed arguably the best lefty-righty, 1-2 punch in Major League history along with Hammerin’ Hank Aaron. Together, the two sluggers belted 863 home runs (Aaron 442, Mathews 421) between 1954 and 1966.
Mathews was only 20 years old when he broke into the Majors, clubbing 25 homers but also leading the National League in strikeouts with 115. Nevertheless, he finished third in the Rookie of the Year balloting… and second in the MVP vote the following season when he blasted 47 round-trippers. Over the next eight seasons, Eddie’s HR total never fell below 31 while peaking at 46 in 1959. You talk about consistency!
The secret to Mathews’ success was his smooth, but powerful swing. In the words of baseball immortal Ty Cobb, "I've only known three or four perfect swings in my time. This lad has one of them." And so, whenever the self-effacing Matthews fell into a brief slump, he simply kept swinging, knowing that his natural talent would eventually take over.
My friend, just like Eddie Matthews, we don’t always experience success on life’s playing field. But instead of becoming discouraged and slinking back to the dugout after yet another strikeout, we should simply rest in the knowledge that God will use this “spiritual slump” to shape and mold us into an even better player.
You and I may never be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame like Eddie Matthews was in 1978. However, the Hall of Faith (see Hebrews 11) may come calling for you someday. In the meantime, count it a privilege to play on God’s team, which wins every time!
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
