No Athlete Wants

NO ATHLETE WANTS to be on the injured list when the team is competing for a championship. In 1997, Kevin Brown arose from his sickbed to pitch the Florida Marlins to the National League pennant.

The Marlins led the Atlanta Braves three games to two in the seven-game series. Brown had been scheduled to pitch in game four and later in five, but a viral infection sidelined the right-hander. Fighting off the illness, the 32-year-old pitcher summoned his strength to take the mound for game six.

His teammates provided tremendous support, erupting for four runs in the top of the first on Bobby Bonilla’s two-run single, Charles Johnson’s bases-loaded walk, and Craig Counsell’s RBI groundout.

Although Brown’s sickness left him unsettled, he survived a shaky first two innings and nursed a 4–3 lead into the sixth. The Marlins scored another three runs on Braves starter Tom Glavine to force him to the showers. Bonilla’s infield single plated a run for his third RBI of the game.

Brown’s pitch count went over 140 in the ninth as he allowed one run. The Braves put runners on first and second, but Brown induced Atlanta’s third baseman to hit into a game-ending fielder’s choice. Florida had won its first National League title with a 7–4 triumph!

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POINT Many athletes play through injuries. Medication, determination, and tolerance to pain enable them to compete. However, most never get on the field when serious illness strikes. Fever, chills, and other symptoms make competition difficult if not impossible. And of course, contagious viruses can spread to the team, coaches, umpires, and all who come in contact with the sick athlete. But Kevin Brown managed to defeat his illness and the Atlanta Braves.

God desires that we stay healthy. The Lord wants us to take care of our body to prevent sickness. But the psalmist wrote that the heavenly Father cares for us when we’re sick in bed.

GOAL! Do all you can to keep from catching a cold, the flu, or another illness. If you know someone who is ill, pray that God will help him or her get well.